The Archdiocese of Milwaukee has taken steps to provide a safe environment
for our children and youth and educate us all about signs of abuse. They
require that all adults (paid and volunteer) working with children and youth
in the diocese will need to have a criminal background check, read and
accept the Code of Ethical Standards for Church Leaders found at
www.archmil.org, and participate in a Safe Environment “Protecting God’s
Children” awareness session BEFORE participating in any parish ministries.
Trainings are held locally as well as throughout the archdiocese. More
information can be found at www.archmil.org on the Events page.
Whenever children and young people come to our parish or are involved in
parish activities, we accept the sacred trust from their parents/guardians to
protect them from harm or danger. We want them to know they are safe
and protected and the church is a place that can be trusted. In addition to
the diocesan requirements, St. Anne has made the following commitments:
Two Adult Rule
All planned group activities of children and young people require
supervision of at least two persons 18 years of age or older. If a class
has only one adult, the activity must be visible through an open door.
In other cases, the activity must be cancelled if two adults cannot be
present.
Windows and Open Doors
Any one-on-one private interactions with minors will be conducted in a
place that can be observed by another adult in the vicinity. Meeting
rooms and offices will be designed to have doors with windows to
provide easy observation by those outside the room. If a window is not
available, the door will remain open.
Overnight Activities
Overnight activities will provide for one adult for each 10-15
students. Male and female adult supervision will be provided for all
overnight activities that are coeducational.
Reporting Procedures Involving Children and Young People
Who should report?
St. Anne Parish is morally obligated to take action in cases of suspected
abuse or neglect of children. Any person in a paid or volunteer position with
the Church who has reason to suspect that a child has been or will be
abused or neglected is expected to report that suspicion.
How to report?
Call the Kenosha County Department of Children and Family Services Child
Protection Unit at 605-6582. If unable to contact DCFS, contact the Kenosha
Police Department at 656-1234 or the Pleasant Prairie Police Department at
694-7353.
What to report?
All reports of child abuse are kept confidential. As well as you can, explain
what happened or is happening to the child. What is the nature of the abuse
or neglect? Be as specific as possible. Tell everything you know about the
situation. Be prepared to give the name, address and phone number of the
child and also the name of the parent or caretaker if different.
What is child abuse?
Child abuse is a non-accidental injury or pattern of injuries inflicted by
anyone on a child less than 18 years of age, including physical abuse,
physical neglect, sexual abuse, and emotional maltreatment.
What is physical abuse?
Physical abuse is any physical injury inflicted on a child by other than
accidental means including but not limited to lacerations, fractured bones,
burns, internal injuries, severe or frequent bruising, or great bodily harm.
What is sexual abuse?
Sexual abuse includes sexual touching either directly or through clothing with
any body part or object, exposing genitals to a child, oral stimulation of
sexual organs, sexual intercourse, exposing children to pornography or sexual
activity, taking sexually explicit pictures, and enticement for sexual activities.
What is child neglect?
Child neglect refers to the failure of the parent or caregiver to meet the
child’s basic physical needs: food, clothing, hygiene, medical care and/or
supervision so as to seriously endanger the physical health of a child.
What is severe emotional abuse?
Severe emotional abuse is harm to a child’s psychological or intellectual
functioning that is exhibited by severe anxiety, depression, or aggression
and is caused by the child’s parent, guardian, or caretaker. Emotional
damage may be demonstrated by observable changes in behavior, emotional
response, or learning which are incompatible with the child’s age or stage of
development.
