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STANDARDS OF MINISTERIAL BEHAVIOR AND BOUNDARIES

STANDARDS OF MINISTERIAL BEHAVIOR AND BOUNDARIES. For Priests, Deacons, Religious, Pastoral Ministers, Administrators, Teachers, Staff and Volunteers. Standards. There are guidelines for the boundaries of appropriate behavior in all interactions with children and young people.

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STANDARDS OF MINISTERIAL BEHAVIOR AND BOUNDARIES

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  1. STANDARDS OF MINISTERIAL BEHAVIOR AND BOUNDARIES For Priests, Deacons, Religious, Pastoral Ministers, Administrators, Teachers, Staff and Volunteers

  2. Standards • There are guidelines for the boundaries of appropriate behavior in all interactions with children and young people. • Responsibility for adherence to the Standards of Ministerial Behavior rests with the individual. Church Personnel who disregard the Standards will be subject to remedial action by the Archdiocese. • It is crucial to re-read the Standards for Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries at least once a year. Failure to be unfamiliar with these standards does not relieve the adult from culpability.

  3. Corrective Actions • May take various forms, including but not limited to a verbal reproach, termination of employment, or removal from ministry, depending on the specific nature and circumstances of the offense and the extent of the harm.

  4. REPORTERS OF CHILD ABUSE • MANDATED REPORTERS • THOSE WHO MUST REPORT: Clergy Teachers Social Workers Day Care Center Workers Mental Health Professionals Persons supervising children

  5. Pennsylvania Law • Pennsylvania law makes no distinction between paid and non-paid personnel. Accordingly, volunteers who come into contact with children in the course of their volunteer duties are mandated reporters. Examples Clergy Youth ministers Playground monitors Parish and school personnel Child-care workers Foster-care workers Teachers School nurses Social service workers Catechists Athletic coaches School volunteers Music ministers Classroom aides Administrators

  6. How Is a Report Made? • Those in paid or volunteer staff positions in any Church-related institution are obligated to immediately notify the person in charge of the institution (e.g., pastor, lead administrator in the school (President or Principal), DRE when child abuse is suspected. • The person in charge will make the report. If the person in charge of the institution is the suspected abuser, the person with the information must make the report.

  7. Contact Information • PA Child Abuse Hotline 1-800-932-0313 • Archdiocesan Office for Children and Youth Protection 1-888-800-8780 (if the suspected abuser is a church official, employee or volunteer call both numbers) • Office of Catholic Education 215-587-3700

  8. Penalties for Failure to Report • A person or official required to report a case of suspected child abuse who willfully fails to do so commits a summary offense for the first violation and a misdemeanor of the third degree for a second or subsequent violation. • Summary offense: fine and possible jail time

  9. All School Personnel and Volunteers • Re-read the Standards for Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries ~ pages 5 through 8 • A copy of the Standards can be downloaded from www.archdiocese-phl.org website • Double check your original copies: • Police Check (updated every five years) • Child Abuse Clearance (updated every five years) • FBI check (if not a PA resident) or hired after 4/1/07 (updated every five years) • Signature sheet from attendance at Child Abuse Prevention Training and acceptance of the Standards for Ministerial Behavior and Boundaries; employee must always retain a copy of proof of attendance at the training session *Copies should be on file in the Rectory (elementary), OCE (secondary and special education) and in the teacher file in the secured files in the office of the principal in the school.

  10. Moral and Ethical Obligation • Our Catholic teaching and tradition calls us to be advocates for those who are powerless and most vulnerable. We have a moral, ethical and legal obligation to report suspected or actual child abuse.

  11. Reminder • If, in the course of your service in a parish or school you encounter anyone who has experienced sexual abuse by a representative of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, please encourage them to contact the Victims’ Assistance Coordinator at 1-888-800-8780. Thank you! Protect all God's children.

  12. Reporting Abuse • Please call the Office of Catholic Education to report the steps you are taking and to seek further guidance throughout the process: • Elementary 215-587-3743 • Secondary 215-587-2415 • Special Ed. 215-587-3586 • Child Line 1-800-932-0313 • Office of Child and Youth Protection: 1-888-800-8780

  13. Professional Boundaries • The relationship between an adult representing the school in any position and a student attending the school is • Friendly but professional • Frank but considerate • Helpful but non-invasive • Regardless of the age of students, adults representing the school in any position are in a position of trust and should never cross professional boundaries.

  14. Unacceptable Behaviors • Too personally involved with students – friend, confidant, surrogate parent • Seeing students in private or non-school settings • Writing or exchanging notes, letters, emails • Serving as confidant with regard to student’s decision about personal issues • Giving gifts or money to students • Inviting students to your home or vacation home • Having students overnight in your home or vacation home • Driving individual students to and from school • Giving one student unique attention • Being alone with a student • Sharing personal problems or information with a student • Initiating physical contact or accepting physical contact • Intimidating, harassing or “picking on” a student for any reason *This list is to establish examples and is not to be considered exhaustive

  15. Protective Strategies • Learn about the law and your liability as an adult working with students • Keep the door open to a room you are in and NEVER have the classroom door windows covered with material of any kind • Compliment or commend a student but do not hug or touch • Be aware of boundary violations and report any reasonable suspiciion of child abuse to proper authorities • Clarify procedures with your school leadership but do not be afraid to correct inappropriate behavior • Get parents and principals approval for all activities off school property • Let students know when they are overstepping personal boundaries • Seek input form colleagues or other professionals if you are unsure of the appropriateness of your actions or plans

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