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How to
Familiarize Yourself with Policies and Procedures on Reporting Abuse
You know that
being familiar with policies and procedures on reporting sexual abuse
is an important aspect of preventing abuse of all kinds. So, where do
you start? How do you turn this responsibility into practical,
workable procedures that make a difference?
At first it seems
confusing and somewhat overwhelming. There are state laws that
mandate reporting of abuse. There are the diocese's new reporting
policies and procedures. There are the guidelines established by the
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in the Charter for the
Protection of Children and Young People. And, for the most part, all
of these sources read like lawyers wrote them.
So, where should
you start and what can you do?
The first and
easiest place to start is at www.virtus.org.
Through the Virtus Online™ system, you can access the reporting
laws for all 50 states, as well as the website of each state's child
protection services agency.
Information on
state reporting laws and procedures:
Knowing your state
law is crucial. Although some states mandate all adults to report
suspected child abuse, many others specify categories of individuals
who regularly interact with children as the ones who are required to
report when they suspect abuse orwhen a child discloses abuse to
them. State laws define who is required to report, how the report is
made, and what information is needed at the time of the report.
Even if your state
designates specific categories as mandated reporters-and if you don't
appear to be on that list-states allow any adult to report
voluntarily. In fact, all adults are encouraged by state child
protection agencies to report suspected abuse, and the Church
recommends it. Anyone who reports in good faith is protected from
prosecution for making a false claim-and the law provides punishment
for mandated reporters who fail to report.
First, find out
whether you are mandated by law to report suspected abuse. If you are
specifically identified as a mandated reporter and are unclear about
the reporting process, contact the administration of your facility or
organization and ask for specific instructions.
If you are
uncertain about your responsibility as a reporter, call the child
abuse hotline in your state or your local child protection services
office and ask for information on mandated reporting. Most states
have brochures and other resources for mandated reporters. In most
states, you can also get information on how to report from the
website of your state's child protection services. The site will tell
you the number to call for reporting and the kind of information you
can provide to best assist in the investigation.
Once you
understand your legal responsibility for reporting, move on to the
next step.
Information on
Diocesan reporting procedures:
All dioceses also
have policies and procedures for reporting allegations of abuse by
clergy and other Church personnel. It is important for clergy, staff,
and volunteers to know where to find the dioceses' procedure for
reporting allegations of abuse and neglect and to understand the procedures.
Many dioceses
include the current response policies on their website. If the
polices and procedures are not available on the website, call the
Chancellor, Vicar General, or Victim Assistance Coordinator to find
out where to obtain a copy of the most current policies and
procedures for responding to allegations of abuse and neglect.
Once you have
obtained your diocese's policies, read them carefully and contact the
Church administration if there is anything unclear about your
responsibilities for reporting allegations of abuse by clergy or
other Church personnel. By understanding the Church's commitment to
dealing with these allegations in a fair, just, and prompt manner you
will be reassured that you are viewed as an important part of the
solution to this problem within our faith communities.
Each diocese in
the United States is making these policies and procedures a part of
their commitment to safe environments. They want you to know what to
do, who to call, and how to let the diocese know about allegations of
abuse. By familiarizing yourself with both the local polices and
procedures and your state's laws on reporting, you are in a much
better position to be an active part of this effort and to help
protect children in your community.
Bottom Line:
Even though most
states require you to report suspicions of abuse, and even though all
dioceses are committed to responding to abuse, there's a much more
important reason to participate in this community effort-the safety
and well-being of children. Don't be the one who says to the parent
of a victimized child that you "did not know what to do or how
to report" your suspicions. |
