When the diocesan Office for the Protection of Children and Young People (OPCYP) was established 20 years ago in the wake of the church’s clergy sexual abuse crisis, the goal was to educate the laity and the clergy that child abuse occurs, teach how to detect the warning signs and most importantly, instruct how to protect children in the church’s care.
Since then, more than 74,000 background checks have been conducted on clergy, staff and volunteer applicants. Some 79,000 diocesan adults and 124,000 children have received OPCYP safe environment training. And that Virtus safe environment training program has evolved beyond informing people that abuse exists to a more hopeful, healing-focused approach that includes trauma-informed care, with increased sensitivities to victim needs.
As we observe Child Abuse Prevention month this April, we reflect on the significant strides the diocese has made since it established the office. The office grew out of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The charter seeks to address allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy and includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability and prevention of future acts of abuse.
The OPCYP policy built on an already established diocesan child protection policy. The established Diocesan Policy on the Protection of Children and Young People and Prevention of Sexual Misconduct and/or Child Abuse (OPCYP policy) has been revised five times — each incorporating new standards and/or procedures established by the Essential Norms (Canon Law), the charter, and/or diocesan policy as well as changes in law, culture, and the ever-evolving world of technology.
The charter also required the establishment of an independent review board comprised of individuals from various disciplines who are predominantly laity. While the Bishop establishes all policies related to child protection and the handling of allegations, he has deemed working in consultation with the Diocesan Review Board essential because of the expertise they bring to the issue. When new policies are promulgated, the Bishop works with the Presbyteral Council and OPCYP to assist in its implementation.
The Diocese of Arlington’s Code of Conduct is a practical implementation of the OPCYP Policy. An advisory board and the Presbyteral Council played a significant role in revising the 2003 Code in 2012 to reflect significant developments in information technology, changes in the culture and climate of the diocese, and necessary distinctions for the clergy and laity to be effective ministers and volunteers.
Twenty years later, OPCYP’s two core activities to protect youths — background checks and safe environment training — remain key. All clergy, employees and volunteers with substantial contact must successfully clear the background checks and participate in the adult safe environment training within 45 days of application submission. The old paper application system, which took an hour and a half to complete, has been replaced by an online application that takes 13 minutes.
The safe environment training involves young people as well as adults. The initial programs Formation in Christian Chastity and You Matter, the latter of which was discontinued in 2016 and replaced with Circle of Grace (grades 1-12); Called to Protect (grades 9-12); and Tricked: Inside the World of Teen Sex Trafficking (grades 9-12) were also added to its youth training toolkit.
Additionally, OPCYP has widened its focus to protect youths by educating parents and young people about the dangers of porn and social media. OPCYP helps schools and parents address the threats inherent in the changing culture with English and Spanish presentations such as: Teens and Technology: A Parent’s Guide to Social Media; Teens and Technology: A Student’s Guide to a Positive Digital Footprint; Bought with a Price: Behavioral and Biochemical Effects of Porn (High School); A Mind Under Siege: Dangers of Pornography (Minors); Dangers of Pornography in the Home (Adults); and An Introduction to Sexual Human Trafficking (Adults).
The OPCYP welcomes feedback from the faithful of the diocese on how to continue to protect young people (email [email protected]). Thank you for working with Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and the OPCYP to ensure children are safe.
Deacon Silva is director of diocesan Office of Child Protection.
