Policies+for+Maintaining+Ethical+Ministry+with+Minors+-+2023+FINAL - Flipbook - Page 8
d.
e.
f.
propriate civil authority in the state where the abuse is alleged to have occurred, whether or not required by state law,
informing any Brother who reports the abuse that he will convey the report to the appropriate civil authority.
The Brother Visitor will report known or suspected sexual abuse by a living current or former Brother when the victim
is no longer a minor, as obligated by the civil laws of the state where the abuse allegedly occurred. The Brother Visitor
will advise victims who are no longer minors of their right to make a report to civil authorities and will encourage
them to do so.
A Brother should inform the Brother Visitor if he believes that another Brother exhibits warning signs of unhealthy
boundaries or relationships with minors, warning signs in themselves may not constitute reasonable belief that sexual abuse has occurred. The Brother Visitor is responsible for appropriate follow-up to such concerns.
In the event that an allegation concerns a member of another religious order, or a diocesan priest or deacon residing
in a community of the District, the Brother Visitor will inform the person’s superior and, if requested, assist the superior in the investigation of the allegation and in responding to the person making the allegation.
2. Reporting Related to Child Pornography
a.
Brothers must report the known or suspected possession, distribution, downloading, and/or intentional viewing of
child pornography by a Brother to the Brother Visitor. Brothers must also report the known or suspected possession, distribution, downloading, and/or intentional viewing of child pornography to the appropriate civil
authority in the state where they know or suspect such activity took place, in compliance with Praesidium’s
Standards.
SECTION C
RESPONDING TO INCIDENTS AND ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ABUSE
1. Pastoral Response to the Alleged Victim
a.
b.
c.
d.
e.
When the District receives an allegation of sexual abuse against a current, former, or deceased Brother, an individual
other than the Brother Visitor will provide the alleged victim with a written explanation of the procedures the District
typically follows in responding to allegations.
The District will respond pastorally to the alleged victim by offering counseling services through a provider identified
and paid for by the District. All Brothers will be provided with a basic procedure for responding pastorally to an allegation of abuse, so that they will understand how to pastorally respond to an individual who alleges sexual abuse, and so
they will be able to treat that individual with respect and dignity.
When the District first learns about an allegation of abuse, the Brother Visitor will make an offer to meet with the
alleged victim. If the District first learns about an allegation as a result of legal proceedings, and the alleged victim is
represented by legal counsel, any such offer would be delivered through the alleged victim’s legal counsel.
The Institute has a survivor assistance coordinator to provide support for those who allege sexual abuse
i. The Institute ensures the survivor assistance coordinator has education, training, and or experience in the following content areas.
a. Dynamics of sexual abuse
b. Effects of sexual abuse
c. How to provide comfort to those who have experienced sexual abuse
d. How to encourage trust in those who report being sexually abused as a minor
e. How to promote healing
ii. The Institute ensures the survivor assistance coordinator has written guidelines for fulfilling his/her role.
iii. While the Visitor may participate in providing a pastoral response, the Institute ensures that he does not serve
as the survivor assistance coordinator.
The District will also engage the services of a Survivor Assistance Coordinator whose role is outlined in Praesidium
Standards as specified in Appendix A.
2. Communication With the Accused Brother
a.
After receiving an allegation of sexual abuse against a Brother, the Brother Visitor will meet with the Brother. Prior to
explaining the allegation, the Brother Visitor will advise the Brother that the conversation is not privileged, and therefore, before responding, the Brother may wish to consult civil and canonical legal counsel and, if advisable, have such
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