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	Teacher on Leave after Abuse Claim Wheeling News-Register January 4, 2011 http://www.news-register.net/page/content.detail/id/550475/Teacher-on-Leave-After-Abuse-Claim.html?nav=510 A teacher and coach at Catholic Central High School in Steubenville is on paid leave in the wake of allegations that he physically abused a student. The Diocese of Steubenville, which oversees Central and other Catholic schools in East Ohio, announced Monday that Gregg M. Bahen, a social studies teacher and football coach at the school, was placed on leave with pay after a student alleged Bahen was involved in an incident of physical abuse. Under the Diocese of Steubenville's "Decree on Child Protection," diocesan Vicar General Kurt H. Kemo determined there is a semblance of truth to the allegation. As a result, Bahen was placed on leave. Also, in accordance with the decree, the matter has been referred to the Jefferson County prosecutor. The decree, announced by by Bishop Daniel Conlon in October 2009, applies to all parishes, schools, offices and agencies and other institutions that operate under the administrative authority of the bishop. "Although the abuse of children and adolescents is a reality in our society, such abuse, whether physical, sexual, verbal or emotional, whether inflicted by lay or ordained, professionals or volunteers, cannot be tolerated in the Church," the decree states. Its purpose is two-fold. First it is designed to prevent the abuse of children and adolescents by educating children, clerics, employees, parents and volunteers about the realities of abuse. It also calls for the screening of adults who aspire to serve youth. The second purpose of the decree is to provide a system for handling incidents of abuse after they occur. It states key elements of this system include reporting the allegation to civil authorities, assessing the allegation, caring for the victim and the victim's family, acting appropriately with regard to the accused person and attending to the affected local church community.
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