2014 Annual Report FINDINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
April 18, 2015

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/upload/2014-Annual-Report.pdf

MARCH 2015

Report on the Implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

PROGRESS

In every diocese/eparchy audited, individuals coming forward with allegations are treated with respect and offered assistance in their healing process.

Those making allegations are not required to sign condentiality agreements. Reports of child sexual abuse are reported to civil authorities and priests who were found to have committed sexual abuse of minors are removed from ministry. Dioceses/eparchies are being open and transparent with the faithful, informing communities affected by abuse.

Adults who work around children are being trained to create safe environments and to be attentive to the behavior of others; this includes clergy, employees, and volunteers—even children are being taught to be aware of signs of grooming and to report it.

NUMBERS

The Secretariat receives two sets of numbers each year. One set is from the auditors. These numbers include all the information from both onsite and data collection audits. The numbers from the audit include all allegations reported from a diocese/eparchy during the audit year, not just the allegations that could be substantiated. For the audit, the following denitions are used:

• Substantiated: enough evidence exists to prove the abuse occurred • Unsubstantiated: enough evidence exists to prove the abuse did not occur • Unable to be proven: there is not enough evidence to determine whether or not the abuse occurred (generally used when the cleric is deceased or his status or location is unknown) • Investigation ongoing: still under investigation • Other: investigation not yet begun or referred to another diocese/eparchy for investigation

During the 2014 audit year (July 1, 2013–June 30, 2014), 620 survivors of child sexual abuse by clergy came forward to make 657 allegations for the first time: 130 cases were substantiated; 62 were unsubstantiated; 243 were still under investigation; 210 were unable to be proven or disproven; and 12 were of Lincoln declining to participate. There was a 75 percent response rate from religious orders.