ceo_esq
21st February 2005, 07:09 AM
In 2002, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops adopted a revised edition of its Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (http://www.usccb.org/bishops/charter.htm) (the "Charter"), which codifies its policies, initiatives and requirements for Catholic dioceses regarding the following broad objectives: "To Promote Healing and Reconciliation with Victims/Survivors of Sexual Abuse of Minors"
"To Guarantee an Effective Response to Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors"
"To Ensure the Accountability of our Procedures"
"To Protect the Faithful in the Future"
In each successive year, an independent audit has been carried out on a nationwide scale in order to determine compliance with the principles and directives set forth in the Charter and to monitor allegations of sexual abuse. The results of the 2004 audit have just been made public (here is the http://www.usccb.org/ocyp/dioceses04/OCYP2004Report.pdf]final ( as a PDF; more information is available at [url]www.usccb.org).
The audit was developed and carried out by The Gavin Group, Inc., an independent investigative firm founded by William Gavin (formerly chief of the FBI's New York, Miami and Denver field offices). A team of nearly 60 professionals from law enforcement and investigative backgrounds (including persons with expertise in law, accounting, psychology, sociology and other fields) participated in the audit. A retired partner from auditors Ernst & Young also advised on the audit procedures.
At the time of their initial 2004 audits, 74.2% of dioceses were found to be in full compliance with the articles of the Charter. Those dioceses found not to be in full compliance were issued specific instructions by the auditors on how to attain such compliance.
By December 31, 2004, 96.3% of dioceses were determined to be in full compliance with the Charter.
The audit revealed that in 2004, 898 allegations of clerical sexual abuse of minors in Catholic dioceses were brought forward, concerning 889 alleged victims and 622 alleged offenders.
Of the 898 allegations surfacing in 2004:
a majority related to the period 1970-1974
6% had been determined to be false by December 31, 2004 (no information available on whether any had been determined to be true)Of the 889 alleged victims: 78% were male, 22% female
56% were between the ages of 10 and 14 when the alleged abuse began
only 2% were under the age of 18 in 2004Of the 622 alleged offenders named in 2004, 71% were already deceased, removed/retired from ministry duties, or defrocked by the time the allegations were brought forward.
The audit report contains other interesting information, and is recommended reading for anyone who follows such matters.
"To Guarantee an Effective Response to Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors"
"To Ensure the Accountability of our Procedures"
"To Protect the Faithful in the Future"
In each successive year, an independent audit has been carried out on a nationwide scale in order to determine compliance with the principles and directives set forth in the Charter and to monitor allegations of sexual abuse. The results of the 2004 audit have just been made public (here is the http://www.usccb.org/ocyp/dioceses04/OCYP2004Report.pdf]final ( as a PDF; more information is available at [url]www.usccb.org).
The audit was developed and carried out by The Gavin Group, Inc., an independent investigative firm founded by William Gavin (formerly chief of the FBI's New York, Miami and Denver field offices). A team of nearly 60 professionals from law enforcement and investigative backgrounds (including persons with expertise in law, accounting, psychology, sociology and other fields) participated in the audit. A retired partner from auditors Ernst & Young also advised on the audit procedures.
At the time of their initial 2004 audits, 74.2% of dioceses were found to be in full compliance with the articles of the Charter. Those dioceses found not to be in full compliance were issued specific instructions by the auditors on how to attain such compliance.
By December 31, 2004, 96.3% of dioceses were determined to be in full compliance with the Charter.
The audit revealed that in 2004, 898 allegations of clerical sexual abuse of minors in Catholic dioceses were brought forward, concerning 889 alleged victims and 622 alleged offenders.
Of the 898 allegations surfacing in 2004:
a majority related to the period 1970-1974
6% had been determined to be false by December 31, 2004 (no information available on whether any had been determined to be true)Of the 889 alleged victims: 78% were male, 22% female
56% were between the ages of 10 and 14 when the alleged abuse began
only 2% were under the age of 18 in 2004Of the 622 alleged offenders named in 2004, 71% were already deceased, removed/retired from ministry duties, or defrocked by the time the allegations were brought forward.
The audit report contains other interesting information, and is recommended reading for anyone who follows such matters.