CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO APRIL 12, 2013 |
$1.00
|
VOL. 15 NO. 11
APRIL IS CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
April 2013 My Dear Friends of the Archdiocese of San Francisco, As your new Archbishop, I have been delighted to learn about the good work being done in our parishes and schools to support the Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, also known as “Promise to Protect; Pledge to Heal.” This work is making the world a safer place for children and is calling all of us to be better people, and I am pleased to support it. When this advertisement was run a year ago, we were without a Victim Assistance Coordinator. I am happy to say that in August we hired Renee Duffey, Psy.D., who is now actively doing this important work. She has my support, and I know that she will have yours, in effecting and managing our outreach to survivors of child sexual abuse. Progress continues to be made. We have implemented a follow-on version of the adult training course and now have different online courses for each grade level from grade four through grade 12 for our students. We are still using the “Talking about Touching” for preschool through third grade, and we continue to teach every child every year. This year, we are moving to a cyclic process for both adult training and for demographic background checks. In both cases, we will ask each adult to complete the training and to have their background evaluation updated once every three years. We are using this calendar year, 2013, to make the change to this cyclic program. In addition, while reports generated from Live Scan fingerprints provide Subsequent Arrest Reports (SARs), these reports are not available for anyone whose fingerprints were done before September 1, 2003, and so we are asking those people to again go through the fingerprinting process. Finally, our Policy on Abuse, our Standards of Conduct for those Working with Children, and our Youth Standards of Conduct are all being reviewed and updated. Thank you for all that you do to support this Archdiocese and particularly for your help with these programs. It is imperative that we protect our future, our children. Sincerely yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Salvatore J. Cordileone Archbishop of San Francisco
WHAT TO DO IF YOU SUSPECT ABUSE
Anyone who has reason to believe or suspects that a child has been, or is being, abused should report their suspicions first to civil authorities and then to the Archdiocese’s Victim Assistance Coordinator. Investigation should be left to duly appointed professionals. State law requires persons in certain positions (called “mandated reporters”) to make such reports. Others, (called “ethical reporters”) should do so. Every allegation will be treated seriously and immediate steps taken to protect the alleged victim(s). These actions will be taken discreetly so as to protect the confidentiality and the rights of both the victim and the accused.
REPORTING INSTRUCTIONS BY COUNTY
Cases of alleged abuse in which the abuser and the victim are members of the same household are to be reported to Child Protective Services (CPS), while cases in which the alleged victim and the accused do not share a household should be reported to law enforcement authorities (Sheriff ’s Department or City Police). If in doubt, just report to the most convenient agency. They’ll help ensure the message gets to the proper place.
MARIN
SAN FRANCISCO
SAN MATEO
Child Protective Services (415) 499-7153
Child Protective Services (415) 558-2650
Child Protective Services (650) 802-7922
Sheriff’s Department (415) 479-2311
Police Department (415) 553-0123
Sheriff’s Department (650) 363-4911
Note: You can also report abuse to your local Police Department.
Archdiocese Victim Assistance Coordinator (415) 614-5506
CP2
CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | APRIL 12, 2013
CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | APRIL 12, 2013
CP3
PROMISE TO PROTECT PLEDGE TO HEAL The Office of Child and Youth Protection values the continued partnership with our schools and religious education programs and our shared commitment to protecting children.
We are Proud to Announce 2013 Child Abuse Prevention Month Contest Winners ARTICLE 12
of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People states: “Dioceses/eparchies are to maintain ‘safe environment’ programs which the diocesan/eparchial bishop deems to be in accord with Catholic moral principles. They are to be conducted cooperatively with parents, civil authorities, educators, and community organizations to provide education and training for children, youth, parents, ministers, educators, volunteers, and others about ways to make and maintain a safe environment for children and young people…” The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB)
TALKING ABOUT TOUCHING
TALEN, Kindergarten, St. Catherine of Siena School
OLIVIA, Grade 3, St. John School
FRANCHESCA, Grade 3, Holy Angels School
Grades Pre K – 3: Children, along with their parents and teachers, are learning: Common safety rules; how to ask for help when feeling unsafe or uncomfortable; ways to respond assertively; and the differences between safe and unsafe touches.
KID SAFETY
Grades 4 – 8: Kids are learning: How to identify different types of harm; how to respond assertively and get help; to grow in understanding of personal boundaries; and how to practice safe use of the Internet. www.shieldthevulnerable.org log on and review the courses!
STUDENT COURSES (AT SHIELDTHEVULNERABLE) Pre-School through Grade 3 – taught in the classroom using “Talking About Touching” GABRYLLE, Grade 1, St. Catherine of Siena School
FRANCHESCA, Grade 3, Holy Angels School
AMY, Grade 4, St. Mary’s School
Safety Smarts for Kids (Grade 4) Block the Bully (Grade 5)
Ab us e
Be Safe, Stay Safe (Grade 6)
Ch ild
Bullying, Not Cool (Grade 7)
Teen Safety (Grade 9) Dating Abuse (Grade 10)
Pr ev en t
Digital Citizenship (Grade 8)
CyberSafety (Grade 11) PALOMA, Grade 2, St. Catherine of Siena School
ERIC, Grade 3, Holy Angels School
GABRIELLA, Grade 5, Holy Angels School
You’re Legal, What Now? (Grade 12)
CP4 CHILD PROTECTION
CATHOLIC SAN FRANCISCO | APRIL 12, 2013
HEALING THE WOUNDS OF CLERGY SEXUAL ABUSE How the Archdiocese of San Francisco and Survivors are Finding Common Ground The Archdiocese of San Francisco will undertake and institute the following policy:
PROPOSAL POINT 1: Create a comprehensive diocesan sponsored Wellness Program specifically for survivors of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy living in the Archdiocese of San Francisco (SF, Marin, San Mateo counties) regardless of the jurisdiction, diocese, or religious order where the abuse occurred. The foundation of the Wellness Program will consist of traditional therapeutic counseling.* In addition the Archdiocese will initiate a pilot program designed to provide alternative healing modalities to survivors.** All elements of this comprehensive wellness program will be evaluated at the end of two years.
PROPOSAL POINT 2: Establish Restorative Mediation as a viable option for addressing claims of clergy abuse
in the Archdiocese of San Francisco with the intent of causing the least possible harm and suffering to those who choose to pursue this course of action. Offering this method does not mean a survivor must choose it. Rather, it is intended to create a mutual agreement that will prove satisfactory to both parties and sustain and support the healing process.
PROPOSAL POINT 3: Appoint a qualified clergy abuse survivor to the Independent Review Board who will serve as an equal member of the board.
PROPOSAL POINT 4: Support specific survivor groups that work to further the healing process for all survivors
and partner with them and the programs they provide in assisting others who cannot or will not ask the Church for help. By contributing directly to such programs the Archdiocese of San Francisco will demonstrate a sincere effort and a bold commitment to reach common ground despite the differences that exist on other levels.
PROPOSAL POINT 5: Strengthen the Victim Assistance office by working with survivors to expand outreach to
parishioners through parish and public education. This will include publication of regular news, notices and updates in parish bulletins and the diocesan newspaper as well as the diocesan website. One of the greatest obligations of the Church is the continued acknowledgement of the very presence of clergy abuse survivors.
PROPOSAL POINT 6: Work closely with survivors toward a policy of full disclosure of offenders in the
Archdiocese that complies with the law, builds on the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, and respects the individual rights of all concerned. This includes acknowledging the harm caused to survivors, community and diocese, and making clear that reporting abuse is everyone’s moral duty and responsibility.
PROPOSAL POINT 7: Sponsor a series of ongoing discussions in which survivors of clergy abuse are invited to
specifically address fundamental healing issues. This will occur through Archdiocesan Deanery Meetings and give the leadership in the parishes an opportunity to hear firsthand from survivors.
*Psychotherapy will be provided and continue as recommended by the Clinical Advisory Team and approved by the Archbishop. Treating psychotherapist/client will complete an Initial Treatment/ Assessment Plan within the first six weeks of therapy. Follow-up treatment plans will continue at six month intervals. **These modalities include a wide variety of approaches, from acupuncture to nutrition to meditation to chiropractic. Source: The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM). It may also include workshops, retreats, or another avenue that helps a survivor’s overall wellness. $1,800 will be allowed each year for alternative therapies per individual.
A Prayer for Healing Victims of Abuse God of endless love, Ever caring, ever strong, Always present, always just; You gave Your only Son to save us by the blood of His cross. Gentle Jesus, shepherd of peace, join to Your own suffering the pain of all who have been hurt in body, mind, and spirit by those who betrayed the trust placed in them. Hear our cries as we agonize over the harm done to our brothers and sisters. Breathe wisdom into our prayers, soothe restless hearts with hope, steady shaken spirits with faith; Show us the way to justice and wholeness, enlightened by truth and enfolded in Your mercy. Holy Spirit, comforter of hearts, Heal Your people’s wounds and transform our brokenness. Grant us courage and wisdom, humility and grace, so that we may act with justice and peace in You. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen Copyright © 2004, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All rights reserved.
SAN FRANCISCO INDEPENDENT REVIEW BOARD (IRB) Archbishop Cordileone has identified a group of well-educated and highly skilled professionals to advise the Archdiocese on matters relating to abuse by clergy. This group includes a psychologist (Dr. Suzanne McDonnell Giraudo), a pediatrician (Dr. Eileen G. Aicardi), an attorney (Sr. Mary Gemma O’Keeffe, RSM), a retired judge (Honorable Claude D. Perasso), a retired policeman (Mr. Dan L. Lawson), a survivor (John McCord) and one pastor (Fr. John Ryan). There is a balance of men and women, and several members are also parents. The IRB oversees the “Safe Environment” program of the Archdiocese and has acted as a consultant to religious orders of priests. The Vicar for Clergy and the Archbishop meet regularly with this Board. The Victim Assistance Coordinator and the Diocesan Attorney serve as support staff, but are not members. They, along with the Archbishop and the Vicar for Clergy, excuse themselves during IRB deliberations on particular cases. The Judicial Vicar (Msgr. Michael Padazinski) takes part in deliberations but is not a member and has no vote. The Archdiocese’s Victim Assistance Coordinator can be reached at (415) 614-5506, and works with the Archbishop, the Independent Review Board and the Vicar for Clergy to coordinate support for victims and their families.
Archdiocese Victim Assistance Coordinator (415) 614-5506 For additional information contact Deacon John Norris, Director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection norrisj@sfarchdiocese.org or (415) 614-5504