Child abuse prevention: the good, the bad and the ugly
Monday, April 9, 2012
*Jan Rayburn
The good
It is said repeatedly at Sunday Masses: Please offer your “time, talents and treasure” for the good of your parish. (Keep reading, I’m not asking for money!)
Indeed the Church was built on the good works of parishioners volunteering their time and talents, from extraordinary ministers of holy Communion, catechists and room mothers to carnival barkers and Lenten fish fry chefs — sometimes even the laying of brick and mortar. I know my husband still has the brass paperweight in the shape of a building from when his parents helped build St. Monica in 1961.
Our archdiocesan facilities would not exist without the dedicated efforts of our volunteers; certainly not with the tremendous sense of community and spiritual activity that they exhibit today. So I understand how good and faithful volunteers might be troubled by the request that they comply with the Safe Environment policy of the archdiocese.
The policy requires that all employees and those volunteers who work with children or vulnerable adults pass a background check and be Virtus-trained. Additionally, employees must sign a Code of Conduct and an affidavit of Good Moral Character. Volunteers, likewise, sign a Code of Conduct and affidavit of Good Moral Character plus a Volunteer Agreement.
I understand the thought process: “Of course we need a policy, but I am a founding member of this parish, everyone knows me, I’ve been volunteering for years, surely this doesn’t apply to me.” Yet, consider this: As good stewards of our faith, we are called, through baptism, to look out for one another, and perhaps we need you most of all. We need the good to set the example for others. We need the good to comply so that when bad is among us, it will stand out. And perhaps more importantly, we need the good to be trained in recognizing the patterns and behaviors of this terrible evil that is epidemic in our society.
The bad
Across the country, from all walks of life, ethnic and cultural backgrounds, socio-economic conditions and all religious affiliations, over 39 million adults were victims of child sexual abuse. In reality this number may be much higher as so many victims never report this crime. One in four females and one in six males report having been sexually abused as a child. Similarly, predators come from all walks of life. Statistics show that 89 percent of predators are known to the victim. Broken down, 29 percent of sexual abuse is committed by relatives and 60 percent is committed by someone known and trusted by the victim. One thing all the predators have in common is that they strive to work or volunteer with children.
The ugly
Sexual abuse is a scourge on society. It is the dirty, ugly secret that no one wants to talk about. Yet it is that very silence that allows the crime to continue. Sometimes abuse can last for years. Nationally there have been high-profile cases in the news this past year. As horrific as it is, if there is a silver lining to be found, it is that the topic is in discussion more than ever before. Together we can take away the predator’s greatest weapon: our silence.
The Catholic Church is taking a lead in both its response to this crime and in education for prevention of this crime through the mandates of the U.S. bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Youths and Vulnerable Adults. Hearing of sexual abuse cases always brings to mind a thought often attributed to Edmund Burke, a political thinker of 18th century England, perhaps best paraphrased in a film adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s book, “War and Peace”:
“All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing.”
That brings us back full circle to the good of our Catholic community. Please join in the Church’s efforts, as Catholics, as human beings, to protect the most vulnerable among us, our children. For more information, log into our website at www.miamiarch.org and click on the Protecting God’s Children ministry. Click on the home page banner throughout this month — National Child Abuse Prevention Month — for more information and tips on preventing abuse. Finally, click on the Virtus link in the Events Calendar to find out about upcoming sessions. It is a worthwhile program for anyone who has children, and I suggest you attend a session even if our policy does not require you to do so.
Comments from readers
Thank you! Most especially for your powerful reminder: "Together we can take away the predator's greatest weapon: our silence." Thank you for reminding us that this isn't merely a "we have to" but a "we get to" ... be able to participate in the battle against sexual abuse of children through this comprehensive training program. You are a blessing to us!