Abuse Prevention

The Diocese of Portland requires that all parishes in the Diocese implement comprehensive strategies to prevent abuse of children and vulnerable adults. These strategies are in place for all Cluster 4 parishes (St. Mary's, St. Agnes, and St. Paul's Mission).

Safe Environment Program

The Safe Environment Program was initiated in the Portland Diocese in June of 2002. All clergy, employees and volunteers who work with children/youth on a regular basis must attend a Protecting God's Children training session. Protecting God's Children is an evidence-based sexual abuse awareness and prevention program. It consists of a three-hour course that utilizes video tapes produced by Virtus, the program of the National Catholic Risk Retention Group, Inc. (www.virtus.org). The videos feature true stories of both sexual abuse victims and sexual abusers. Supporting workbooks, which reinforce the information, complement the program and include guidelines on actions to take should abuse be suspected or reported. To date 21,106 individuals have attended the Protecting God's Children Program in the Diocese of Portland.

The Cluster 4 Parish Catechetical Leader is responsible for safe environment program implementation and training. Training sessions are held several times per year and are published in the bulletin. If you need to attend a session of Protecting God's Children, contact the Parish Catechetical Leader at 207-532-2871.

Vetting of Church Personnel & Volunteers

Per Diocesan policy, all personnel and volunteers who have regular (more than once per year) contact with minors or vulnerable adults must participate in comprehensive vetting process. This includes:

A standard application for new employees/volunteers.
The 1-page Department of Health & Human Services (DHHS) release form (this is renewed every three years).
The 1-page Roman Catholic Diocese of Portland Background Check Authorization (this is renewed every three years).
Reading the Code of Ethics and signing the Code of Ethics Acknowledgement.
A face-to-face interview.
A check of recent references to be conducted by the person at the Cluster responsible for the Safe Environment Program.
A criminal background check (renewed every five years).
Attendance, within three months of hire or volunteering, at a Virtus/Protecting God’s Children training class.
Completion of monthly educational bulletins to remain in compliance with Virtus/Protecting God's Children certification requirements.

Volunteers for programs working with minors in parishes must normally have been a member of the parish for at least six months. After careful consultation, exceptions may be made for parents of minors in the specific programs in which their child or children are participating or upon receipt of a waiver from the Director of Human Resources.

Supervision of Programs that Involve Minors

The primary standard implemented in program supervision is the presence of multiple adults (at least two) at all church related programs and activities for minors. This standard does not apply to the sacrament of reconciliation or to situations where an individual is seeking unscheduled and immediate pastoral care. The goal of this standard is to protect both minors and the adults who work with them from opportunities for abuse or false accusations, respectively. In this light:

1. Programs or activities for minors, whether on or off church property, must always have at least two adults present. However, where multiple religious education classes, school classes, or other group meetings are being conducted at the same time and in the same building, the second adult need not be present in the classroom. In this case, the second adult can be the other teacher/adult leader in the other classrooms. If there is a single class or activity being conducted, a second adult must be present or reasonably accessible within the same building. If an adult is working one-on-one with a student, the classroom door must be left open; a second adult must be present or reasonably accessible within the same building. If a scheduled class or activity is the only session being conducted at a particular time, and a second adult is not present or reasonably accessible within the same building or one cannot readily be obtained to fulfill that role, the session must be cancelled and the parents/guardians notified to pick up their children.

2. Parents are encouraged to be a part of any and all services and programs in which their children are involved in the Diocese of Portland. Parents have an open invitation to observe programs and activities in which their children are involved. However, parents who desire to participate in or have continuous, ongoing contact with their child’s programs in the Church are required to complete the volunteer application process and participate in the Virtus/Protecting God’s Children training.

Education of Parents & Children

All parishes in the Diocese of Portland are required to complete annual Circle of Grace abuse prevention training for all children in grades PreK-12 and for their parents. Circle of Grace is an evidence-based abuse prevention education program which includes teaching a culture of respect and faith that goes beyond mere protection. This program helps children and young people understand their own sacredness, the sacredness of others, and how to seek help through their relationships with trusted adults. The educational sessions are conducted in Cluster 4 Faith Formation sessions in September every year. A parent education session is also offered at that time. Parents may choose to opt out of having their children complete Circle of Grace training by completing an opt-out form .