Resources

Faced with the crisis of child sexual abuse by clerics that dramatically came to light in 2002, the church set up an aggressive safe environment program that is the envy of other organizations that work with children. From the 2009 audit, we can say the Catholic Church in the United States has: 

• Trained 98% of our two million volunteers, employees, educators, clergy, and candidates in parishes in how to create safe environments and prevent child sexual abuse. 
• Prepared more than 5.2 million children to recognize abuse and protect themselves. 
• Ran background checks on more than 97% of our 1,887,000 volunteers and employees, 166,000 educators, 52,000 clerics and 6,000 candidates for ordination.
  

Essential Documents

Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People and the Essential Norms

Five Principles to Follow Regarding Allegations of Sexual Abuse, June 1992

On Child Sexual Abuse

• The Response and Prevention Project by Mary A. Lentz, Esq. 
• Opinion:  Bishop John F. Kinney, Chairman Emeritus, Ad Hoc Committee on Sexual Abuse
• Interview with Frederick S. Berlin, MD, Ph.D. Reprinted from America magazine, April 25, 2002
• The Catholic Church and Child Sexual Abuse by Stephen J. Rosetti
• Priest Pedophiles by Melvin C. Blanchette and Gerald D. Coleman
• Can the Church Be Healed? With God All Things Are Possible by Harry J. Flynn

Diocesan Resources

The following are resources dioceses/eparchies may find useful in making the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People part of what we do as Church.

Diocesan Resources

• Did You Know...? - 2013 Facts regarding efforts made by the Church to protect children and young adults.
• Safe Environment Work Group Report - Safe Environment Training of Children in the Catholic Church
• Questions and Answers - Regarding the Canonical Process for the Resolution of Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests and Deacons
• Magisterial Teachings on Child Sexual Abuse - The basis of the Charter is found in the Magisterial Teachings of the Catholic Church.
• Resource Booklet - this resource booklet has been compiled by the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection (SCYP) to provide ideas to the dioceses/eparchies on various issues for which suggestions have been requested.
• Anti-Pornography Resources - The following resources were developed by the Anti-Pornography Task Force, available through the Archdiocese of Omaha website. 
• Parent Resources - available through the Diocese of Grand Island website.
• Children Safety Information Links

To Learn More About Efforts to Protect Children, Link to Your Diocese/Eparchy

Print Material Resources

• Two-Sided Poster English Side | Spanish Side
• Brochure English
• Masthead

"Promise to Protect" Prayer for Healing Victims of Abuse

• Promise to Protect Prayer Card English  |  Spanish
• Two-Sided Promise to Protect Prayer Card English Side | Spanish Side

"So There is No Doubt"

• Flyer

Rosary Guide for Healing and Protection

• Online Version  English | Spanish
• Printable Booklet Version  English | Spanish

"Prayer for Survivors"

• Online version English

Charter Implementation Resources

• Charter Self-Assessment Guide
• Diocesan Review Board Resource Booklet
• International Priests and the Charter Resource Booklet
• Parish Self-Assessment Guide English | Spanish

Child Abuse Prevention Month Resources

Child Abuse Prevention Month Resources

Child Abuse and Human Trafficking Resources

• Anti-Trafficking Program - information from Migration and Refugee Services (MRS) on Human Trafficking
• Letter to Dioceses - from MRS containing information on the intersection of child abuse and human trafficking
  
• MRS Brochure - on Human Trafficking
  

Background

History of Church Policy

• Report of the National Review Board, Chicago, July 2003
• Membership of National Review Board Announced, July 2002
• Membership of National Review Board Completed, August 2002
• Sex Abuse Committee Releases Preliminary Survey Results, September 2002
• Ad Hoc Committee on Sex Abuse Restructured, September 2002
• Efforts to Combat Clergy Sexual Abuse Against Minors:  A Chronology through 2001
• Walk in the Light:  Pastoral Response to Child Sexual Abuse NCCB/USCC Administrative Board Statement 1995
• Diocesan Policies Concerning Sexual Abuse, 1994

Responding to Allegations

• An Invitation to Prayer in Dallas
• Statement of Bishop Wilton Gregory to the Media at the Vatican
• Conference President Issues Statement on Palm Beach Bishop
• We Have Been Enlightened by Bishop Wilton Gregory, February 15, 2002 
• Statement on Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests by Bishop Wilton D. Gregory