Monitoring Compliance with Child-Safety Standards in Religious Orders

Religious Institutes (Orders) of Men and Religious Congregations of Women generally have adopted their own child-safety and abuse-reporting procedures.

Many subscribe to standards established by Praesidium, Inc., that are even stricter than the USCCB Charter. For example, the Praesidium standards call for scheduled as well as surprise visits by outside auditors to remain certified.

But not all orders and congregations utilize the Praesidium standards. And some are more vigilant than others in following up on reports of sex abuse.

During an initial survey by VOTF’s Religious Orders subcommittee, 24 orders and congregations shared with us their policy statements concerning sexual-abuse responses. Thirteen of those were Praesidium-accredited.

We hope to extend the survey results to those orders and congregations who have not yet replied. That’s where you come in. We have some Talking Points and ideas for starting conversations with friends, relatives, or other contacts you know in the religious orders, so that we can add more information to our survey. Here are the details:

Description of project (starting a conversation)

Talking Points