Consultant to the VIRTUS® Programs

Things are changing in the Catholic Church. It has been several years since the sexual abuse scandal came to light, and throughout the country, dioceses, churches, and schools have implemented new policies and procedures specifically designed to reach out to victims and to impede predators in their efforts to interact with our children.

The safe environment programs have some latitude in the design for their specific locations, but they all recognize that a multi-faceted approach has the best chance of being successful. To that end, not only have awareness programs become fairly commonplace, but specific directives regarding the placement of employees and volunteers have been enacted and enforced so that some immediate protection is put in place. These practices are specifically designed to control adults’ access to the children enrolled in our programs.

Probably the most sweeping change involves the application of these practices to volunteers as well as professional staff and clergy. Let’s face it, by their very nature, most faith-based organizations tend to be a little more trusting than the average workplace. There is also the fact that it is a rare parish/school indeed that isn’t desperate for volunteers on a regular basis. These two circumstances made for an environment that was very easy for a predator to infiltrate.

Now it is mandatory that all adults who work with or near children must be processed through a background check procedure. It is also common to find volunteers being required to fill out applications for their services. While this may be perceived as inconvenient, it serves several beneficial purposes, especially with 20-20 hindsight. Not only does this build a very complete paper trail that can be easily utilized in both common and emergency circumstances, it provides an opportunity to lay the baseline for child safety by providing written copies of our policies. This is further supplemented by direct interviews wherein, among other things, a simple discussion can clear away any misperceptions regarding the operations of our programs.

However, one aspect of these policies must remain constant no matter where it is being applied: adherence to them MUST be consistent. We cannot allow for exceptions. Aside from the obvious logic that consistency prevents mistakes, prudence demands that we recall who we are dealing with here. Predators are highly skilled at manipulating environments to their advantage. We have to make every effort to solidify any wiggle room that can be abused. In other words, we cannot allow exceptions to these policies. Everyone gets background checked. Everyone fills out an application. Everyone verifies they have received copies of the sexual misconduct policy and reporting procedures. And everyone signs a statement saying they understand the policies of their diocese and work/volunteer site. To put it bluntly, predators are simply too skilled at bending rules. If we start making exceptions, these people will make certain that they are appropriately exceptional. GUARANTEED!

Regardless of how you may personally feel about any policy, restriction, or rule, remember that it is there to protect the children and the adults around them. We need, in fact we MUST, do everything we can to help reinforce these barriers to predation.