Archdiocesan programs help build 'safety barriers' against child abusers

It is “critical to build safety barriers around children and young people to keep them from harm,” said Teresa M. Kettelkamp, executive director of the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in Washington.

The barriers she had in mind take the form of “protective guardians, codes of conduct, background evaluations, policies and procedures, and safety training programs” aimed at preventing sexual abuse of minors.

In a discussion of safe environment programs, Kettelkamp posted 10 child-protection points on her office’s website. A report released May 18 in Washington on a major study of the causes and context of the sexual abuse of minors in the church accented the value of safe environment programs.

“No one has the right to have access to children,” Kettelkamp said. She insisted that “background checks work,” keeping “predators away from children” in churches, schools and other organizations.

The U.S. bishops’ 2002 “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” created Kettelkamp’s office. It staffs the bishops’ Committee for the Protection of Children and Young People. Helping dioceses implement safe environment programs is a key priority.

Safe environment programs should make clear to everyone in the community “the standards of conduct for clergy and other persons in positions of trust with regard to sexual abuse,” the charter said.

The programs equip children, youths, parents, ministers, educators, volunteers and others to recognize the warning signs and grooming techniques of potential sexual abusers. For example, Kettelkamp said:

– Some seek “age-inappropriate relationships” and are “more comfortable with children than fellow adults.”

– Some abusers give potential victims “undue attention or lavish gifts.”

– Some allow “young people to participate in activities” their parents would disapprove of, such as viewing pornography or consuming alcohol.

Today, safe environment programs exist in the vast majority of U.S. dioceses. Diocesan websites commonly provide an easy-to-spot link to the local church’s program.

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