Study suggested to fine-tune child sex abuse prevention programs

Published: 2006-03-30

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- A study to determine the main elements of child sex abuse prevention programs is among the recommendations made by the U.S. bishops' Office of Child and Youth Protection to fine-tune church policies. The results of the study would be shared with the 195 U.S. dioceses and Eastern-rite eparchies, said the recommendation. The recommendations are contained in a report released March 30 on how dioceses and eparchies were implementing in 2005 the bishops' policies contained in the "Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People." The recommendations were made by the child protection office and approved by the National Review Board composed of 13 laypeople and established by the bishops to monitor compliance with the charter. Sex abuse prevention programs, also called safe environment programs, provide education to children, parents, clergy, church employees and volunteers about child sex abuse and ways of preventing it. Such programs are required by the charter.

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