Diocese of Arlington they all share a common behavior or free to inquire how often or when a “tell” known as “grooming”, which is a program was last reviewed. Monitoring Table of Contents compilation of actions that attempt to is not the responsibility of just one Report covers the Audit Period form a bond of dependency between the individual. Rather, it requires the active July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011 perpetrator and the victim. Grooming participation and cooperation of all falls into three categories: physical, responsible adults. emotional and community grooming. Director of Child Protection 4. Do you know what is going on in and Safety’s Perspective Recognizing these behaviors and your young person’s life? on Securing a Future knowing how to respond to problems Preventing abuse is the role of by taking immediate and prudent action parents and trusted adults – not the Bishop’s Child Protection Advisory requires that all persons be trained to responsibility of our young people. Board’s 8th Annual Report recognize the dynamics of grooming That means parents and caring adults and other warning signs. All volunteers must be an active part of their young Victim Assistance Coordinator’s who work with children, in addition person’s life. We know that 90 percent Annual Report to all parish, school and diocesan of children who have been sexually employees, receive child-safety abused do not disclose the abuse. Upcoming Events training through the VIRTUS program. This shows that communication is key! The initial four-hour Protecting God’s Testimony Children training seminar is considered Programs that encourage children to to be one of the most effective training confide in parents and other trusted programs in the country and is used in adults may be effective in revealing Director of Child Protection more than 90 dioceses. It also includes abuse or potentially abusive situations and Safety’s Perspective an ongoing annual training component. and may limit contact with predators. Additionally, research indicates that on Securing a Future 2. Do you know who has access to abuse victims who receive chastity your children? or safe-environment training are four The youth of our diocese are the hope of In addition to the required training, the times more likely to report the abuse our future. As parents and as a diocesan diocese evaluates every employee and and seek assistance. The diocese community, we secure their future by volunteer working with children through provides such training through investing in their spiritual and moral criminal background checks. This age-appropriate programs such as formation, education, physical protection includes searching state and national Formation in Christian Chastity and You and social well-being. In order for them criminal records and the Central Matter, which are implemented through to properly develop into virtuous men and Registry of the Virginia Department each diocesan parish and school. women, we must protect their innocence. of Social Services. The fact is, no one has a “right” to work or volunteer Accordingly, since 1991, the Diocese of with children. The diocesan Office for Did You Know in Arlington has been fully committed to the the Protection of Children & Young prevention of child sexual abuse. Bishop People is dedicated to ensuring that Fiscal Year 2011 that: Loverde continues to improve diocesan all employees and volunteers receive ● programs that will safeguard children in a thorough background screening prior Over 3,400 adult employees and every youth activity throughout our diocese. to working with our young people. volunteers received “Protecting The Policy for the Protection of Children and God’s Children” training. Young People and the Prevention of Sexual 3. Do you know if the programs at ● Over 33,500 employees and Misconduct is our diocese’s comprehensive your location are authorized and volunteers have received “Protecting and systematic policy designed to protect monitored? God’s Children” training in the children. This policy guides our diocesan An important factor in maintaining the Diocese since its introduction. programs and is in full accord with the safety of our young people is ensuring ● United States Conference of Catholic that all programs are reviewed and Over 3,400 employees and Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of approved by the pastors and principals. volunteers underwent Children and Young People. This process includes confirming that background checks. all of the appropriate adults receive As you know, all child protection policies a full background check and safe- and programs are only effective with your environment training. 5. Do you know how to communicate cooperation. Your assistance can begin by your concerns? asking the following five questions: In addition, monitoring programs If you become aware of inappropriate means visiting classes, observing behavior on the part of adults or children, 1. Do you know the “tell” of a predator? programs to ensure that all policies the behavior must be addressed As a community, we have an obligation are being followed and securing or immediately and directly. The diocese to protect our youth. Child predators monitoring areas where children could trains its employees and volunteers to can come from any socioeconomic be isolated. Parents should also feel address those concerns directly to the class or educational level. However, Diocese of Arlington adults involved and also to a supervisor who served so faithfully and welcome the if necessary. All discussions are guided new members of the Advisory Board. by the Code of Conduct, which every Our diocesan effort is directed pursuant to employee and volunteer is required to The Board has reviewed and endorses the Catholic Diocese of Arlington Policy on sign prior to ministry or employment. the reports filed by Deacon Silva, Diocesan the Protection of Children/Young People Director of Child Protection and Safety, and Ms. and Prevention of Sexual Misconduct and/ Additionally, all diocesan personnel are Patricia Mudd, Diocesan Victim Assistance or Child Abuse, established in 1991. It is considered “mandatory reporters” under Coordinator, in this comprehensive Annual also in conformity with the word and spirit of the Charter for the Protection of Children diocesan policy and have an obligation Child Protection Report. This year, I would and Young People and the Essential to report suspicions or knowledge of like to take the opportunity to better serve Norms for Diocesan/Eparchial Policies child abuse. After reporting to civil the diocese by delivering an important Dealing with Allegations of Sexual Abuse authorities, personnel also report to message on behalf of the Advisory of Minors by Priests or Deacons, which Church officials to ensure immediate Board. To clarify the role of this Board, it were approved by the U.S. Conference actions are taken to maintain the safety is an advisory board to the bishop and not of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) at the of the children under our care. pursuant to any directive or mandate. It was November 2002 general meeting created voluntarily by the bishop to provide These five simple questions are a start in confidential advice regarding how best to understanding how we may better protect protect the children and young people in our our youth. Look for additional information diocesan community. The Board also offers Advisory Board. The Board meets quarterly and tips on protecting our young people advice and suggestions to the diocesan and is briefed by the Diocesan Director of as related to social media, bullying and Victim Assistance Coordinators. Child Protection and Safety and the Diocesan pornography under the diocesan webpage’s Victim Assistance Coordinator. It is during “Child Protection” section. The Board is comprised of a multi- this forum that any questions or concerns disciplinary professional group of Catholics – from the bishop or the Board are brought Upholding the policy and consistently including a medical doctor, licensed clinical forward. The Board has tackled important improving the programs are two objectives social worker, licensed marriage and family issues over the years by establishing long of the diocesan Office of Child Protection therapist, attorney, school principal, writer, term goals and expectations. In fact, the child and Safety. With the help of our thousands clergyman, and military officer – and most protection and victim assistance programs of volunteers and employees who associate members have children and grandchildren have matured over the past eight years such with young people, we can work together to in the diocese. This mixture of talent and that this diocese is now considered a model create a safer environment for our youth. experience has created an open and for other dioceses. honest forum wherein challenging issues Submitted by Deacon Marques Silva are thoroughly examined and passionately The first of our three-part child protection discussed before advice is presented to program is the Virtus initiative, which Bishop’s Child Protection Bishop Loverde. provides education and awareness to all diocesan employees and volunteers Advisory Board’s As Bishop Loverde recognizes the and helps to shine a light on the dark 8th Annual Report importance of consultation with the laity, “grooming” behaviors that child predators this was made manifest by establishing the use to establish inappropriate relationships For the past eight years, I have been between children and adults. Second are privileged to serve on the Catholic Diocese of background checks, which represent an Arlington’s Child Protection Advisory Board — Diocesan Advisory Board important tool for identifying and vetting a board chartered to advise Bishop Loverde those who have substantial contact with in all matters pertaining to protecting our Mr. James Byrne, Attorney our children. This leads me to the third children from misconduct and abuse. For Kathleen Cotter Cauley, M. Ed., and most important element of our child the past eight years, I have also served as L.M.F.T., Licensed Marriage and protection program: our people.