Safe Environment Policies
The policies of the Archdiocese on sexual misconduct and child protection are mandatory for to every institution and all personnel (clergy, lay, employees, and volunteers) of the Archdiocese. These policies are designed to assist the institutions of the Archdiocese in administering the program, and to provide uniformity and stability in the way the program is being implemented.
The Archdiocesan Policy on Sexual Misconduct can be downloaded here.
A summary of this policy can be found here. The policy summary is also available in Spanish aquí.
The policies of the Safe Environment Office can be downloaded here.
Frequently Asked Questions about these policies can be found here.
The policy on how to report child sexual abuse can be found here, and in Spanish here.
We also have a flyer with our reporting policies that can be posted in your parish or school.
Our policies on overnight events can be downloaded here.
Policies on electronic communications, computer use, and social media can be downloaded here.
Summary of Policies
All clergy (archdiocesan, religious and international), members of religious communities, and lay persons (employees and volunteers) who are active in any Archdiocesan institution and who whose position or duties involve contact with minors must comply with the Safe Environment Requirements:
- Complete the Screening Process (including submitting to a background check with clear results). The goal of this process is to exclude people whose background or moral character makes them unsuitable for working with minors
- Abide by the Safe Environment Policies, the Policy on Sexual Misconduct, and the Code of Conduct; and
- Complete the Safe Environment Training appropriate to their position.
The Screening Process — including a criminal background check conducted by the Safe Environment Office — and the Safe Environment Training must both be completed before a person starts work with minors. All background checks are renewed periodically, and a clear result is required for continued work. In addition to the criminal background check, other information (such as material in the public record and reports received after a person has started work) may also be considered in evaluating the suitability of a candidate for working with minors.
If any person fails to satisfy the Safe Environment requirements, they may not come into contact with minors in any program or activity of the Archdiocese or any of its parishes or institutions until they complete the Safe Environment requirements.