April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. It is a time to raise awareness about the horrible reality of child abuse and neglect, which happens in every type of environment and socioeconomic class. During the month of April, I encourage everyone to spend some time reviewing the resources available on the Safe Environment page of the diocesan website (https://doy.org/safe-environment/). Here, you will find information about reporting child abuse, neglect and human trafficking. There is also a link to our safe environment/child protection training, which is called VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children. The diocese has made this training available online for free and we encourage anyone who has contact with children—especially parents/guardians—to complete this online course.
One of the topics addressed in VIRTUS training is the importance of boundaries. VIRTUS defines boundaries as “limits, or lines, that separate our personal space, emotions and behaviors from others.” These limits are important because they protect us and the people we interact with. As adults we have the important responsibility of maintaining and modeling healthy boundaries for children and young people. This is especially true when it comes to teaching a child the power of “no.” When a child says “no” because they feel fear or discomfort, we need to respect that boundary. Our diocesan Standards of Ministerial Behavior, found in our Safe Environment Policy, contain concrete practices that promote healthy boundaries. For example, private meetings must happen in a public space with open doors, and it is never appropriate to promise confidentiality when a child’s safety is at risk.
Healthy boundaries also need to be maintained when it comes to any type of electronic communication, including the use of social media. For example, diocesan policy requires that any electronic communication with children or young people take place via the media of the organization, not the individuals’ personal accounts. There should also be another adult present for these communications, and parental permission for this type of communication is essential. The subject matter of these communications must also be professional and not personal in nature. When the personal begins to eclipse the professional, a boundary is eroded.
VIRTUS defines boundary violations as “actions that disregard another’s boundaries, or that violate the professional or ethical rules, or policy, of an organization.” VIRTUS goes on to note that, “abuse—including the sexual abuse of children—can occur after a series of boundary violations.” The series of boundary violations committed by a person with the intent to commit a sexual act with a minor is more commonly known as grooming. There has been an increase in the public’s awareness of grooming, and in fact, just this past January, the state of Ohio criminalized grooming in its legal code. Since the abuse of children is often preceded by a series of boundary violations, it is very important for us to be on the lookout for these types of behaviors. By addressing boundary violations when they occur, we make it far more difficult for adults with evil intentions to move forward with the grooming process. It must be noted that not everyone who commits a boundary violation is a child abuser, and notifying a supervisor of odd or concerning behaviors does not mean that you are accusing a person of abusing children.
Our diocese remains committed to creating and fostering a safe environment for children, young people and vulnerable adults. It is of vital importance that any known or suspected child abuse or neglect be immediately reported to the proper civil authorities. You may be the only voice that can speak up for a child who is suffering; the witness of Jesus in the Gospels demands that we speak up for the most vulnerable.
The Diocese of Youngstown’s response to allegations of abuse is governed by civil law and its Safe Environment Policy, which is available at www.doy.org/safe-environment/. The diocese encourages anyone who has experienced abuse or misconduct by a cleric, Church employee or volunteer to contact civil authorities and then the diocese directly through Dominic Colucy, director of the Office of Safe Environment, at 330-744-8451, ext. 293, or via the confidential diocesan response line: 330-718-1388. Colucy’s email is dcolucy@youngstowndiocese.org.
