Annual Bishops Report in Child Protection (continued)
The report showed a sharp increase in the number of new claims, primarily from adults reporting past abuse. Francesco Cesareo, chairman of USCCB’s National Review Board, said the audit showed progress in creating safe environments for children but that very progress threatens complacency in implementing the charter’s guidelines.
In addition, the audit relies on self-reporting to assess compliance with the guidelines and has little or no verification of the reported data.
VOTF believes this focus on the scandal reinforces calls to action VOTF has made many times, including:
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Everyone in the Church, lay and clergy alike, must remain vigilant in order to prevent abuse and its coverup and to report suspected cases promptly to civil authorities.
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The Church must stop blocking state statutes of limitation reforms that will allow sufficient time for abused children to report the crimes.
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The Church must hold accountable not only the abusers but also those who fail to report the crimes.
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The Church must provide abuse survivors and all those harmed by the scandal with resources necessary for healing.
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