As Christian adults, we have a moral and legal responsibility and are entrusted by God with the spiritual, emotional and physical well-being of minors and vulnerable adults as they participate in activities within or sponsored by our Diocese. It is our responsibility and commitment to provide an environment which is safe and nurturing.
In order to achieve the above, the diocese has a Safe Environment Program that implements training, screening, background checks and other procedures that are designed to reduce the risk of sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults. Every parish, school and Diocesan agency has the program, and each is responsible for program implementation and continuation.
Individuals are urged to report incidents of abuse or suspicions of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. In an emergency situation, please contact local law enforcement authorities, usually by calling 911.
Situations involving abuse of minors should always first be reported to civil authorities at the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services at https://www.txabusehotline.org/ or by telephone at 1-800-252-5400.
If the allegation involves priests, deacons, or an employee of a parish or the Diocese, in addition to contacting appropriate civil authorities, please also notify reportabuse@cathdal.org or the Diocese of Dallas Victim Assistance Coordinator, Brenda Martinez at 214-379-2812.
If the allegation involves a member of Church leadership, including bishops, archbishops or cardinals, in addition to contacting appropriate civil authorities, please also notify Steve Martinez, a third-party contact established to receive these reports at 210-734-7786 or make notification through the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops’ third party reporting system at https://reportbishopabuse.org or by telephone at 1-800-276-1562
The Diocese of Dallas is committed to ethical behavior and accountability. To make a report regarding violations of ethical behavior, visit the secure Ethicspoint website.
Categories for reporting include accounting/financial; confidentiality; fraud/theft; gifts/donations; harassment/inappropriate behavior; misuse of resources; workplace safety; child and youth protection and school safety.
Any staff member or volunteer working with children must be Safe Environment cleared. This requires several steps:
2. TRAINING
A link to training will be forwarded once the Diocesan Screening Form is received.
3. INTERVIEW
This must be conducted in person at Santa Clara Church after above steps have been completed. An appointment can be scheduled by contacting Jenny Villegas.
Please direct all questions regarding Safe Environment to Jenny Villegas, Safe Environment Director of Saint James Catholic Parish
1) Who needs to be Safe Environment trained in parishes and schools?
Safe Environment Screening procedures are to be used with staff and volunteers who work directly with minors and vulnerable adults. Other volunteers who must follow the screening procedures are ushers/greeters.
2) What are the steps of the Safe Environment screening procedure?
All collected information is to be treated as confidential.
3) Which initial training should be attended when a person is getting Safe Environment trained for the first time?
All clergy, volunteers and employees must attend “Standard Sexual Abuse Awareness Training (MinistrySafe).
4) What are the steps of completing the annual renewal process for the Safe Environment certification?
Use this link and choose one of the training options listed for the yearly update: Diocese of Dallas SEP Page
CONTACT AT THE DIOCESE OF DALLAS
Brenda Martinez
Diocesan Director of Safe Environment
(214)379-2812
bmartinez@cathdal.org
CONTACT AT ST. JAMES
Jenny Villegas Toledo
Safe Environment Director
214-371-9209
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