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	Diocese Fights against Sex Crimes By Alexandra Field CBS 6 March 30, 2010 http://www.cbs6albany.com/news/diocese-1272449-catholic-sex.html ALBANY -- As the latest sex scandal rocks the Catholic Church, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Albany is fighting to put an end to sex crimes in the Church. It's an initiative that started eight years ago under order of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In 2002, the bishops signed the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Soon after, the Albany diocese developed a plan to meet the goals of the charter. It's a dual approach aimed at educating young people and training the adults who work for them. Since the start of the program, the diocese's sexual assault education programs have reached about 35,000 kids a year both in their parishes and schools. John Soja, Assistant Superintendent for Administrative SErvices for Catholic schools says the program is helping the diocese meet goals. " The awareness level and the transperency that is more prevalent nowadays...makes it more comfortable for kids to raise these types of issues and seek help when needed," says Soja. While the latest sex scandal facing the Catholic Church centers on the abuses committed by a Wisconsin priest in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s, the Albany diocese says its focus remains squarely on preventing sex crimes in the future.
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