The Diocese of Scranton is continuing efforts to ensure a safe environment for children and protect them from sexual abuse.

These efforts include an awareness program for students in Catholic schools, and background checks and clearances for employees and volunteers in parishes and schools.

Both of these endeavors are part of the mandates set forth by the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People adopted by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002.

The safety education program for students in grades K-10 teaches them how to recognize and avoid situations that could lead to sexual abuse. It also encourages communication between children and their parents so that dangerous situations and incidents are reported promptly.

The program, called VIRTUS: Teaching Touching Safety, is designed specifically for children. The children’s program has been offered in our Diocesan Catholic schools in the spring of 2005, 2006, 2007 and will be offered again in 2008. 

The Charter promulgated by the U.S. bishops also mandates that all employees in parishes and schools, as well as volunteers who spend 20 or more hours per year with children, must obtain a Pennsylvania Criminal Background Check (Act 34) and a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance (Act 151).

The Diocese, through its Office for Parish Life, the Compliance Office and the Catholic Schools Office, has been assisting pastors and school administrators to comply with this requirement. Information packets have been provided and the compliance office has made visits to all of the parishes and schools throughout the diocese to answer questions about the acquisition of the background checks and clearances.

Another Charter mandate is that all employees and volunteers receive training regarding sexual abuse.

The Diocese has been using the VIRTUS sexual abuse awareness and prevention program, “Protecting God’s Children,” to fulfill this requirement.

The program was introduced in the spring of 2003. To date, approximately 530 sessions have been held throughout the 11 counties that make up the Diocese of Scranton.  Over 16,000 individuals, including Diocesan clergy, staff, teachers, coaches, parents and volunteers have been trained in ways to recognize and report child sexual abuse.

The VIRTUS program is ongoing. In 2007, we held 93 sessions throughout the 11 counties of the diocese and are continuing to schedule more. 

For more information about VIRTUS training or the background checks and clearances, contact Sarah Mountain, director of youth and young adult programs in the Office for Parish Life, at 570-563-8500.

The National Review Board established by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has conducted annual audits to ensure that dioceses are following the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Each audit has found that the Diocese of Scranton is in compliance.

Sarah Mountain of the Office for Parish Life conducts a workshop for pastors and school administrators to familiarize them with the requirement that all employees and volunteers must obtain criminal and child abuse clearances. This is mandated by the national Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

"Protecting God’s Children” Upcoming VIRTUS Sessions in the Diocese of Scranton  “Protecting God’s Children” Upcoming VIRTUS Sessions in the Diocese of Scranton Monday, May 19, 2008 Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Tunkhannock 7:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M. To register, please contact Jennifer 207-2213 ext. 1102 For more information about VIRTUS training, contact Sarah Mountain, director of youth and young adult programs in the Office for Parish Life, at 570-563-8500.