SAFE ENVIRONMENT PROGRAM FOR THE DIOCESE OF EL PASO
The Diocese of El Paso (Diocese) has developed a Safe Environment Program in order to ensure that children and youth, who worship, study or participate in activities sponsored by the Diocese, parishes, and parish schools will do so in the safest environment possible.
As part of the Program, the Diocese has developed a Code of Conduct for all who serve the Church within the Diocese of El Paso. The Diocese has developed programs which will educate Diocesan personnel (as defined in the Sexual Misconduct Policies), and parents, children, and youth. These programs will be presented throughout the Diocese. The Diocese will conduct background checks on all those who work with children and youth.
Code of conduct
In ministry there are several practical guidelines which enable church personnel to be pastoral while ensuring both the safety of minors and protecting the church personnel from allegations.
Church personnel must be aware of their own vulnerability and that of any individual minor with whom they may be working Church personnel should avoid establishing any exclusive relationship with a minor and exercise due caution when they become aware of a minor desiring such a relationship. Both the participants and members of the church community can misunderstand such relationships. If you recognize inappropriate personal or physical attraction developing between yourself and a minor, maintain clear professional boundaries between yourself and the minor or refer the minor to another adult supervisor.
All clergy, staff and volunteers of the Diocese will observe the following guidelines for dealing with minors:
In every instance possible, a team approach to youth activities should be considered. There should always be a good ratio of adults to young people. More adults are usually necessary for overnight events or field trips. Most often this would be 8 youth to 1 adult and, in the case of 4K to 3rd grade a ratio of 5 to 1.
• Physical contact with minors can be misconstrued by both minors and adults and should only occur under appropriate public circumstances.
Church personnel should never use or supply alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes when working with minors.
Church personnel should never obtain or possess sexually explicit, pornographic, or morally inappropriate materials, nor should they participate in the distribution or receipt of pornographic materials through any medium.
Sexually explicit or pornographic topics of conversation, vocabulary, recordings, films, games or the use of computer software or any other form or personal interaction or entertainment should never be shared with minors.
A “buddy system of a young person with another young person on trips is a good safety requirement, especially when using public restroom facilities.
Church personnel are prohibited from sleeping in the same beds, sleeping bags, or small tents with minors unless the adult is an immediate family member of the minor. If an adult supervisor stays in a hotel or other sleeping room with a group of minors, the supervisor should sleep in his or her own bed using a roll away or cot if necessary.
Church personnel should not be alone in locker rooms or other dressing rooms with a single minor without another adult present.
Clergy are not to provide overnight accommodations in rectories or other personal residences for minors, with the exception of occasional visits from immediate family members. Minors are not permitted in the private living quarters of the rectories.
If a young person is uncomfortable with a hug, then adults should not hug or ridicule that young person.
Always meet with young people in areas that are visible and accessible. One-on-one meetings with a young person are best held in a public area, or if that is not appropriate, then the door to the room is left open, and if possible someone on the parish staff is notified about the meeting.
It is always a safe practice to have two adults in the area where minors are present.
Driving alone with a young person should be avoided.
Generally young people should not be invited into your home.
Minors should be told that information which is confidential will not be kept confidential if legally it must be reported or if the minor may harm themselves or others.
Be proactive in identifying children and youth who may be vulnerable or at risk for unhealthy relationships.
BEHAVIORAL GUIDELINES
Touching should be age appropriate and based on the need of the minor and not on the need of the adult. Avoid physical contact when alone with a minor. If a minor initiates physical contact, an appropriate, limited response is proper.
1. Some positive and appropriate forms of affection are listed below:
• Brief hugs.
• Pats on the shoulder or back.
• Hand-shakes
• “High-fives” and hand slapping.
• Verbal praise.
• Touching hands, shoulders and arms of minors.
• Arms around shoulders.
• Holding hands while walking with small children.
• Sitting beside small children.
• Holding hands during prayer.
• Pats on the head when culturally appropriate. (For example, this gesture should typically be avoided in some Asian communities.)
2. Some forms of physical affection have been used by adults to initiate inappropriate contract with minors. The following are not appropriate:
• Inappropriate or lengthy embraces when a brief hug is customary behavior
• Kisses on the mouth.
• Holding minors over three years old on the lap.
• Showing affection in isolated areas of the program such a bedrooms, closets, staff only areas or other private rooms.
• Touching bottoms, chests, genital areas, knees or legs of minors.
• Wrestling with minors.
• Tickling minors.
• Giving piggyback rides.
• Any type of massage given by minor to adult.
• Any type of massage given by adult to minor
• Compliments that relate to physique or body development
• Any form of unwanted affection
All clergy, staff and volunteers of the Diocese will observe the following guidelines for dealing with minors:
Do not engage in the physical discipline of a minor. Discipline problems should be handled in coordination with your supervisor and/or the parents of the minor.
Do not take an overnight trip alone with a minor who is not a member of your immediate family.
Do not administer medication of any kind without written parental permission.
If one-on-one pastoral care of a minor should be necessary, avoid meeting in isolated environments. Schedule meetings at times and use locations that create accountability. Limit both the length and number of sessions, and make appropriate referrals. Notify parents of the meetings.
Do not drive a church or school vehicle unless you have received prior authorization and have the appropriate license and/or certification.
Do not permit children to cross a road by themselves while they are in your custodial care.
Do not take photographs of minors while they are unclothed or dressing (e.g., in a locker room or bathing facility).
No minor child may reside in any church rectory or other living quarters of priests.
Only immediate family members, visiting priests, or seminarians may be overnight guests in rectories.
It is the policy of the Diocese to investigate thoroughly all reports of any violation of these standards, to make any required reports to civil authorities, and to appropriately discipline or terminate the responsible person.
Background Checks
All diocesan personnel whether, clergy, religious, or lay employees or volunteers who have regular contact with minors will be required to have their backgrounds checked, including a criminal background check. All such diocesan personnel who refuse to submit to a criminal background check will not be permitted to be employed or to serve in the Diocese. No person who has abused a minor will be appointed, employed, or permitted to volunteer for the Diocese. The Diocese, its parishes, missions, schools, and other church entities shall strictly comply with the policies and procedures for hiring staff and selecting volunteers and shall complete all elements of the screening and selection process before the applicant is hired or the volunteer begins volunteering. The information received from the background check process will be retained.
Requirements for Incardination
Priests and deacons seeking incardination with the Diocese will submit an application for a background check six months prior to the anticipated date of incardination. Satisfactory completion of the background check is a condition of incardination.
Requirements for Ordination
Those seeking ordination to the priesthood or deaconate will submit an application for a
background check six months prior to the anticipated date of ordination. Satisfactory completion of the background check is a condition of ordination.
Requirements for Seminarians
Those seeking to enter the diocesan seminary will submit an application for a background check. Satisfactory completion of the background check is a condition for entry into the seminary.
Safe Environment Program Training
The Diocese of El Paso has developed a Safe Environment training program for diocesan personnel who work with minors, parents, and children and youth. The diocesan program for adults contains information describing appropriate and inappropriate behaviors, what abuse is, how to identify behaviors which may be used by those seeking to abuse, and possible signs of abuse. There is emphasis on the legal requirement to report suspected abuse to the appropriate authorities. The program for youth and children is designed to help them understand what appropriate behavior and inappropriate behavior are. It also provides information on how to recognize common methods of luring minors into dangerous situations. There will be an emphasis on telling an appropriate adult if abuse or inappropriate behavior should occur.
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