THELEAVEN.ORG | VOL. 42, NO. 13 | OCTOBER 30, 2020
LEAVEN PHOTO BY JAY SOLDNER
Victim care advocate Linda Slater-Trimble, right, of the archdiocesan office for protection and care, works to help victims find healing within the Catholic Church.
‘HONORING THEIR JOURNEY’ Name change reflects the desire to walk with victims
By Moira Cullings moira.cullings@theleaven.org
“T
wo years ago, I never thought I would return to a church building, ever,” said Sandra. A survivor of abuse by a representative of the Catholic Church, the journey to find healing for Sandra, whose name has been changed for anonymity, has been difficult. “There’s a sense of loneliness,” she said. “Where do I belong?” Healing from abuse is complicated, and perhaps even more so when the abuse occurred at the hands of a representative of the church, often leaving
the victim survivor to feel betrayed and outcast from their faith community. That’s why the office for protection and care for the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas, formerly known as the office of child and youth protection, is working fervently to atone for church abuse by taking responsibility for the harm caused. “Although we cannot turn back time, we can work to prevent abuse today and respond to a survivor’s needs with a sense of urgency and respect,” said director Jenifer Valenti. “An abuse survivor should never feel abandoned by the church, nor should they feel further betrayal when they come forward to report their abuse,” she added.
For more information To learn more about the efforts of the office for protection and care, visit: responseincrisis.archkck.org.
The office’s name change is one way it hopes to communicate that message. “The previous office name highlighted the efforts aimed at protecting children and youth from abuse,” said victim care advocate Linda SlaterTrimble. “While prevention efforts are critical,” she continued, “equally important is the sincere care we have for survivors, as evidenced by our name change.”
The change is accompanied by a fresh approach to walking with abuse survivors and honoring their journey and voice, said Valenti. Although the archdiocese has offered services for survivors of church abuse for decades, added Valenti, understanding abuse and the best approach to address it continues to develop.
‘On my time’ Slater-Trimble and Valenti are relatively new to the archdiocese, with Slater-Trimble starting in 2018 and Valenti in 2019. >> See “VICTIMS” on page 2
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Jesus uses a farming parable to show just how unpredictable God’s kingdom really is. Page 16