Policies+for+Maintaining+Ethical+Ministry+with+Minors+-+2023+FINAL - Flipbook - Page 13
SECTION E
REVIEW BOARDS
1. Purpose
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
The Brother Visitor, with the approval of the District Council, has established a District Review Board for the purpose
of providing advice to the Brother Visitor on the implementation and administration of this Policy. The Review Board
functions as a confidential consultative body advising the Brother Visitor in making decisions regarding assessment
of credible allegations, as well as appropriate treatment, placement, and work of Brothers against whom a credible
allegation of sexual abuse of a minor has been made.
In making his decisions, the Brother Visitor takes into consideration the perspectives and viewpoints of the members
of the Review Board and attends to their professional advice and recommendations.
The Review Board exists solely to provide such advice and has no independent power or authority to replace, supplant, or in any way diminish the Brother Visitor’s authority and responsibility regarding the determination of the
appropriateness of a Brother’s work, treatment, or placement within the District.
The policies and procedures of the Review Board are established in recognition of and in compliance with 1) Charter
for the Protection of Children and Young People: 15, 2) Essential Norms for Diocesan/Eparchical Policies Dealing with
Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons , 3) Sanctamentorum Sanctiticatus Tutela (SST), 4) 2002
CMSM Statement of the Assembly, 5) The Institute’s Policies as stated in this document, 6) Praesidium Accreditation
Standards, 7) Motu propio, “Vos Estis Lux Mundi”
The Review Board does not conduct or participate in the investigation of an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor.
2. Responsibilities
In fulfilling its mission to provide him with advice and counsel, the Review Board provides to the Brother Visitor consultation regarding:
a. Whether an allegation of sexual abuse of a minor that is brought against a Brother of the District is established3;
b. The disposition of any case where an allegation of sexual abuse against a Brother cannot be investigated or
established
c. The reporting of allegations to civil authorities, when appropriate, even if the reporting of the allegation is not required
by law
d. The action to be taken when a Brother has repeatedly violated the boundaries of a minor, including but not limited to
when a minor-is known to be in danger as a result of such a violation
e. The kinds of work and other activities that are suitable for a Brother with an established allegation of sexual abuse of
a minor
f. Safety Plans, including:
i. The initial review of a Safety Plan within 30 days of its development
ii. The annual review of a Brother’s compliance with, response to, or violation of his safety plan
iii. Adjustments to the Safety Plan of a Brother whose behavior changes significantly
iv. Adjustments to the Safety Plan of a Brother against whom a new allegation surfaces
v. The level of risk for each member on a Safety Plan that has renewed documentation at least once every accreditation cycle
g. Review of this Policy and any other policies and procedures established by the District regarding the prevention of or
the response to the sexual abuse of minors
3. Composition of Review Board
a.
b.
The Review Board shall consist of at least five Members, including at least one Brother of the District and other individuals who are not Brothers. No more than two Brothers may be Members of the Review Board.
The Review Board shall include an individual who has particular expertise in the treatment of the sexual abuse of
3
ln order to assist the Review Board in fulfilling this aspect of its mission Review Board, members will, at a minimum, be provided with the following when they are
asked to consider an allegation of sexual abuse:
A. The original report or allegation of sexual abuse of a minor by a Brother that was provided to the District
B. The final report of the investigation into that allegation
C. Information regarding all other allegations of sexual abuse against that Brother
D. Information regarding any relevant disciplinary actions ever taken in regard to the Brother, and the reasons for those actions.
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