Child Protection

Voice of the Faithful puts children first with study of dioceses’ child protection efforts

Voice of the Faithful has published the second independent, online review of all U.S. Roman Catholic dioceses’ level of compliance with child protection and safe environment guidelines. This is the second such analysis Voice of the Faithful (VOTF) has conducted. The initial review, conducted in 2022, found that U.S. dioceses together averaged 67 out of a possible 100 points when measured against the accepted standards. The average score increased somewhat in the 2023 review, to 70.5. Individually, no diocese attained the maximum 100 points in either year. For 2023, the most frequently achieved overall score was 73.5 (an increase from the 63.5 most-frequent score in 2022).

The report is called “Measuring and Ranking Diocesan Safe Environment Programs: 2023”

Click here to read the entire 2023 report…

Click here to read the entire 2022 report …

View video presentation on first ever nationwide child protection best practices study …

View video presentation on planning for child protection best practices study …

The obligation for all Christians to protect children flows from the ministry and example of Jesus Christ. VOTF’s Child Protection efforts focus primarily on education and on monitoring parish/diocesan child-safety programs to ensure consistent, ongoing vigilance. Sexual abuse of children is not just a human rights issue; it’s a crime. It’s also endemic in many societies. 

  • Effective educational programs help adults prevent, recognize, and act responsibly to instances of child sexual abuse.
  • Critical review of community programs and evidence-based curricula help empower adults to take responsible actions to protect children.

We also recommend the establishment of Parish Safety Committees in every parish, to actively support the formation and activities of child abuse prevention teams in each parish, and to monitor the adherence of each parish to effective child-safety guidelines. Such activities should include:

  • Prevention education conducted annually for all children, parents, staff, lectors, Eucharistic ministers and volunteers;
  • Checkups yearly on the criminal offender record information on all clergy, staff, ministers, and volunteers; and
  • Obtaining and disseminating information concerning past assignments of all new pastoral personnel.

Keep up to date on the activities of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors by reading the Commission’s website. Click here.

What Do I DO if I think a child is being sexually abused?

  • Call the cops. 
  • Call the child-welfare agency in your area, or use your state’s toll-free number to report the abuse. (List is updated frequently.)
  • If you think the abuser is a cleric, report it to the diocesan office — after you have called the local law-enforcement authorities. (The USCCB web site has a list of victim-assistance coordinators in each diocese. If your diocese is not listed, ask them why not.)

General Information

Pointers for Parents

  • BE AWARE: outline listing symptoms that may indicate sex abuse; what to do when a child reports abuse; why children are vulnerable

Programs

April: Child Protection Month

In 1983, a presidential proclamation declared April to be Child Abuse Prevention Month nationwide. As a result, child abuse awareness activities are promoted across the country during April of each year. April is thus a time to acknowledge the importance of families, institutions, and communities working together to prevent child abuse.

The U.S. Office on Child Abuse and Neglect (OCAN) within the Children’s Bureau coordinates Child Abuse Prevention Month activities at the Federal level, providing information and releasing updated national statistics about child abuse and neglect. Many governors also issue proclamations to encourage initiatives and events in their states.

During April of every year since 2002, Voice of the Faithful® has raised public awareness that child abuse can be preventable when institutions, community programs, and systems are engaged and work together. Research has identified factors known to prevent and reduce child abuse and neglect, including the education of parents, children, and the community to raise awareness of prevention measures. VOTF advocates that all parishioners be educated in abuse prevention through child abuse awareness training.