Safe Environment Education for Parish Communities and Personnel Metropolitan Archeparchy of Pittsburgh 2016

“...we re-affirm our deep commitment to creating a safe environment within the Church for children and youth.” (USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People 2011) The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has the responsibility to create and maintain a safe environment within the Church for children and youth.

“Dioceses/eparchies are to maintain ‘Safe Environment’ programs... conducted cooperatively with parents, civil authorities, educators and community organizations to provide education and training for children, youth, parents, ministers, educators, volunteers, and others about ways to make and maintain a safe environment for children and young people.” (USCCB Charter 2011)

Following the disclosure of sexual abuse of children and young people by some clergy and church personnel, the USCCB in 2002 wrote the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. It required each diocese/eparchy to write and follow a policy that will ensure the safety of children and youth.

Archieparchial Response  In 2003 the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh published its Policy on Sexual Misconduct. This policy was most recently revised in 2014 and will be reviewed every three years.  In 2003 the Archeparchy began conducting criminal and child abuse background checks on church personnel. These clearances are renewed every three years and kept on file at the Chancery.  The Archeparchy is audited annually to determine its compliance with the Charter. It has been found to be in compliance every year.  In 2005 and 2013 the Office of Religious Education produced programs which provide faith-based safe environment lessons for children and youth in K-8th grades.  In 2005 the Archeparchy’s Safe Environment Education Training Program was created and updated several times, most recently in This training program is mandatory for all clergy, catechists, volunteers and employees of the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh.

The Extent of Abuse  16,321 Total credible accusations in which the date of abuse is known through 2013 Although widely believed to be a significant ongoing problem, most abuse occurred between 1960 and 1984 (74.6%); after that year the numbers dropped substantially and remain low: 7.4% of abuse took place after 1990  217 New cases reported that occurred from 2004 to the present – 2013 (1.3%) Nevertheless, every case of sexual abuse is a tragedy

Ongoing Concerns about Sexual Abuse  Potential rise in abuse may be related to pornography, which is a potential predictor of abuse; it is done in privacy and more difficult to identify  Objectification of the person, such as use of children in pornographic materials, is not victimless Sexual abuse is a dynamic issue, an ongoing problem; the harm of even one case is not to be underestimated “The problem of sexual abuse has not been fixed”

Steps in Developing Responses Transparency requires that the whole church community be engaged at all levels, including laity and clergy, in order to maintain vigilance in the prevention of the abuse of children Decreased rates of clergy sexual abuse do not mean that less vigilance is acceptable since new forms of abuse, such as internet relationships and pornography, are steadily increasing To prevent sexual abuse, don’t let the guard down

Everyone has a part to play  We are here today as a parish family to learn how we can help to ensure that our children and youth are happy and safe in their daily activities.  Everyone needs to be alert to warning signs that abuse may be occurring and to be ready if necessary to speak to a person in authority about it.

Let us be attentive. Duty to Live in the Light. Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for because of these things the wrath of God is coming upon the disobedient. So do not be associated with them. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth. Try to learn what is pleasing to the Lord. Take no part in the fruitless works of darkness; rather expose them, for it is shameful even to mention the things done by them in secret; but everything exposed by the light becomes visible, for everything that becomes visible is light. Therefore, it says: “Awake, O sleeper, and arise from the dead, and Christ will give you light.” Ephesians 5:6-14

A Faith-Based Perspective God created the human person as good and holy God loves people and wants them to be safe and feel secure Every person has the right and responsibility to care for themselves Words and touch can be loving or harmful God wants people to make loving choices Love is experienced in the context of a family and community of faith Children can learn to distinguish between persons who provide a genuine sense of safety and those who want to sexually abuse them through trickery Children can learn to distinguish between loving and harmful words and touch Children can learn how to protect themselves from sexual abuse

We need to see each child as a gift to be welcomed, cherished, and protected. - Pope Francis -

What is child abuse? Abuse is any physical abuse, sexual abuse, or emotional abuse inflicted on a minor by those responsible for his/her care It may be violent or non-violent It may involve touching or non-touching behavior

 Physical—hitting, shaking, pinching, hair-pulling, biting, choking, throwing, paddling, inadequate food, clothing, or shelter.  Sexual – any sexual act between an adult and a minor, the showing of pornography.  Emotional—name-calling, telling children they are bad, worthless, or a mistake, withholding affection and support.

Child abuse is far reaching No geographic, ethnic, or economic setting is free of child abuse and neglect.

What does research teach us about abusers?  Can be any person who has care, custody, or control of a child — parent, teacher, coach, babysitter, child care staff, relative, bus driver, parent’s boy/girlfriend  Child molesters look for jobs or volunteer opportunities that give them access to children  80% of the time the molester is an adult known to the child and is not a stranger

Potential abusers often give warning signs  Prefer the company of children and young people to adults.  They allow children to engage in activities that their parents would not allow  They sympathize with a child against legitimate family rules and discipline  Hang out with youth in youth-oriented places: coffee shops, malls, etc.  Find ways to spend time alone with a child or youth, especially overnight

 Provide gifts, trips, favors, or affection to a specific child/youth or select group of youth.  Hugs, pats, or touches youth more frequently than is appropriate.  Provide items of interest (e.g. video games) to children/youth and invite them to make use of them in private locations  Insist that children/youth share deep personal feelings with him or her.

Possible signs that a child is being abused  Bruises, swellings, marks which are hard to explain  Lingering sadness and anxiety  Changes in a child’s behavior or attitude around someone who formerly was considered a friend  Sleep problems or nightmares  Withdrawal or self-isolation  Poor hygiene, untreated illness or injury

Reporting Child Abuse  If a child shows signs of possible abuse or an adult’s actions are suspect, we should immediately communicate our concerns to the person who has authority in the situation.  If circumstances warrant, church and civil authorities should be notified. All church personnel are mandated to report. No child should have to endure such suffering.

 PA Child Abuse/Neglect Hotline (24 hour):  Report electronically at the Child Welfare Portal:  After making the report to ChildLine, you are required to immediately thereafter notify the person in charge of the institution, school, facility or agency or the designated agent of the person in charge. Reporting Child Abuse

Sr. Barbara Jean Mihalchick, OSBM, the Victims Assistance Coordinator for the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh, is prepared to give compassionate advice and necessary information to persons who have been abused. She may be reached at

KEEPING CHILDREN SAFE Tips for Parents/Guardians  Do not place children’s names on the outside of clothing or possessions  Teach children: their phone number their address how to use 911  Tell them not to answer the phone when they’re home alone — the answering machine should take the message

 Teach children to use the buddy system when using public restrooms and when walking home from school and sports activities  When your child visits the church bathroom during services, be watchful for a quick return or accompany your child  Make unannounced visits to your child’s day-care or after-school programs. Check that the homes of your child’s friends are safe places for your child to spend time

 Get to know well any person who has contact with your children  If your child is experiencing bullying or playground violence, report it immediately to authorities  Teach children what to do if they get separated from you in a public place— one possibility is to have them approach a mother with another child  Role play or practice with children what they can say and do in an uncomfortable or scary situation

 Teach children to back away from adults asking for directions or help— adults should ask help from other adults  Teach children to say “no” to anyone attempting to touch them on the parts of their bodies covered by a swim suit  Teach children to say “no” if someone asks them to do something that feels uncomfortable or wrong

 Let children know that you will help them if they should tell you about someone’s behavior that just doesn’t seem right  Check online for the location of any registered sex offenders in your area  Teach children that they are children of God and have the right to control what happens to their bodies

Know the whereabouts of your child at all times!  Know where they are going  How they will get there  Who will be going with them  When they will return home… …and it would be helpful for parents to give the same information about their whereabouts to their children!

 For the security of all concerned, church personnel should never be alone with a minor in a car or in an unsupervised situation  One-on-one meetings with young people should be held in a public area or the door to the room should be left open.

SOCIAL NETWORKING Source: kent-teach.com

Social Media Age Restrictions DO Matter  Approximately 59% of children have used a social network by the time they are 10  Facebook has the most users under age 13 (52% of 8-16 year olds admit they ignore the age restriction)  Kids under 13 are flocking to Instagram to post and share photos  As a society we have largely given up, giving age restrictions a collective shrug and “so what?” Source: huffingtonpost.com

 Children’s personal information is at risk. The Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) protects every child under the age of 12. When a child uses a false birthdate, this Federal law cannot protect their personal information from being collected and shared with third party advertisers.  Children under 13 don’t have the hardware upstairs to make smart decisions online. Before age 12 it’s difficult, if not impossible, for a child to fully grasp the impact of their actions upon others, online or otherwise.  Lying is just plain wrong. Sure, giving a fake birthdate to Facebook seems like a harmless white lie, but it’s a lie nonetheless. Finally, if your young child simply MUST have a social life online, there’s Club Penguin, WebKinz, and Whyville. Each of these offer restricted and supervised networking. Source: huffingtonpost.com

Social Networking carries risks for young people along with the benefits  Safety for young people from predators has always been a concern.  Before allowing young people to use any of these sites, sign up and experience the site yourself to decide if it is appropriate for their level of maturity

 Ensure that privacy settings meant to protect young people are in place—every site has different privacy options  Keep the computer in a high-traffic part of the house  Talk to young people about sexual victimization and potential online danger— someone online may not be telling the truth about themselves

 Instruct young people not to give out personal information or pictures of themselves to persons they have never met  Young people should never agree to meet anyone with whom they have communicated only via the Internet  Tell young people to inform you immediately if they receive offensive images or messages

 Check with your internet provider about features to block young people’s access to adult-oriented sites  Sending inappropriate pictures can be a problem later for a young person because online pictures can be retrieved  To avoid young people’s possibly risky behavior, recharge their cell phones each evening in parents’ bedrooms

CYBER-BULLYING  According to the Web site cyberbullying is when "a child, preteen or teen is tormented threatened, harassed, humiliated, embarrassed or otherwise targeted by another child, teen or someone using the Internet or other interactive technologies."  The victim should not respond, but inform his/her parent. Messages should be printed out and taken to the proper authority.  The websites and offer great information for parents, teens and educators.

Safe Environment Lessons  The Office of Religious Education for the Archeparchy of Pittsburgh has prepared safe environment lesson plans for use by parish Eastern Christian Formation programs.  Two resources for use in the Byzantine Catholic ECF programs are available for download on the Archeparchy’s website Additional resources will continue to be added to the website.  Students in the parish’s programs discuss with their teacher and fellow students how to be safe in their daily activities.  They learn that they have dignity as children of God. No one has the right to make them feel uncomfortable through unwanted touches or behavior.

We can create a safer world for our children when we work together as a Byzantine Catholic community.

DOCUMENTATION  The USCCB Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People requires that all Church personnel who come in regular contact with minors must receive safe environment training  Church personnel also must agree to a Code of Conduct and have a background check by a law enforcement agency  Church personnel include clergy, deacons, seminarians, employees, staff, catechists, and volunteers

DOCUMENTATION To be returned to Chancery  Disclosure and Authorization for background checks and child abuse history clearances When the Chancery receives the background clearances, they will be kept there on file.  Code of Conduct for Church Personnel This document spells out the standards you agree to follow. The signed form will be kept on file at the Chancery.

HANDOUTS To study and keep  Code of Ethics  Appropriate and Inappropriate Contact with Minors  Web addresses for Archeparchial policies and other resources

“Let the children come to me and do not stop them because the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14