Child Protection
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Office for the Protection of Children & Young People
The Diocese of Jackson is committed to ensuring that children served by the church are not at risk of sexual abuse by the Church personnel. Diocesan policies and procedures currently in place seek to protect, enhance and, in some cases, restore the trust that our faith calls for between agents of the Church and the children and adolescents entrusted to our care. In accordance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People passed by the U.S. bishops in Dallas, the Diocese of Jackson wishes to encourage any victim of sexual abuse by a member of the Catholic Clergy to come forward and begin the healing process. We encourage any victim to contact Erika Rojas, Victims Assistance Coordinator at 601-326-3736. To report an allegation of abuse or mishandling of allegations of sexual abuse by a bishop, please visit Report Bishop Abuse or call 1-800-276-1562.Español: Siguiendo los Estadutos para la Protección de los Niños y Jóvenes, aprobada por los obispos en Dallas, la Diócesis de Jackson desea motivar a cualquiera víctima de abuso sexual por parte de un miembro del clero Católico a que se lo comuniquen para que comenze el proceso de sanación.Cuando una alegación es considerada credible, se ofrecerá asesoramiento, para que el proceso de recuperación pueda comenzar de acuerdo con nuestra política diocesana actual. Motivamos a las víctimas a contactar a la Sra. Erika Rojas, Coordinadora Asistente de Víctimas al 601-326-3736.
2020 PROTECTION OF CHILDREN & YOUNG PEOPLE POLICY
2020 PROTECCIÓN de NIÑOS y JÓVENES POLÍTICA
The Catholic Diocese of Jackson has published the names of clergy and ministers credibly accused of abuse HERE.
USCCBs Child Abuse Prevention Message
CREATING SAFE ENVIRONMENTS in the CATHOLIC DIOCESE of JACKSON
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Creating Safe Environments in the Diocese of Jackson
The Diocese of Jackson uses VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children, as the initial safe environment training to train clergy, religious, lay employees and volunteers about safe environments.
ALL NEW EMPLOYEE & VOLUNTEER APPLICANTS access the VIRTUS REGISTRATION LINK HERE (Instructions follow)
VIRTUS Online REGISTRATION INSTRUCTIONS
As a part of the ongoing efforts for the Diocese of Jackson Protection of Children Program, all volunteers and employees will have access to monthly VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children training bulletins. The online bulletin format will require ongoing safe environment training for all clergy, religious, employees and volunteers who have significant contact with children and young people. Users will receive monthly email reminders from VIRTUS Online when a bulletin is available, which is within the first full week of each month.
Once a user logs in to https://www.virtus.org, sign-in with your username and password. You will have access to read the training bulletin within the training tab. You will be required to answer a multiple-choice question after you have read the bulletin. When you answer the question, submit the answer to update the Diocese of Jackson Protection of Children Database.
The training bulletins are also accessible in Spanish by clicking on “ESPANOL: ACESSO O INSCRIPCION” at https://www.virtus.org and logging in with your user ID and unique password.
We hope you find the training bulletins informative. And, thank you for your continued participation in the Diocese of Jackson Protection of Children Program.
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Contact Us
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jenifer.jenkinsjacksondiocese.orgCoordinator, Office of Protection of Children and Safe Environments
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- Policies and Documents
- Audit Documents
- Archived Diocesan Statements & Documents
- Additional Resources
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Policies and Documents
- Protection of Children & Young People Policy Appendices
- Appendix – Disqualify & Appeal
- Appendix – Electronic Communications Best Practices
- Appendix – Procedures for Addressing Allegations
- Appendix – Youth Travel Guidelines
- Apéndice – Delitos de descalificación y proceso de apelación
- Apéndice – Mejores prácticas de comunicaciones electrónicas
- Apéndice – Prodedimeintos para tratar alegaciones
- Apéndice – Directrices con respecto a los viajes par jovenes y estudiantes
- Child Abuse Reporting Policy
- Communications Policy
Reporting forms:
- Diocese of Jackson Parent Opt-Out Report
- Reporting Suspected Child Abuse (MS Dept of Child Protection Services form)
- Reporting Suspected Child Abuse (MDCPS contact information)
VIRTUS Teaching Safety – Empowering God’s Children:
- Protection of Children & Young People Policy Appendices
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Diocesan Statements and Documentation
Diocese of Jackson Audit of Compliance In accordance with the USCCB Charter for the protection of children, the Diocese of Jackson submits to an audit of child protection policies, procedures and actions annually.
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- Statement regarding criminal conviction and sentencing of Paul West April 13, 2022
- Statement regarding Rev. Edward Balser July 24, 2019
- Statement – A Reason for Hope September 7, 2018
- Statement regarding removal of Deacon Rick Caldwell from ministry 2018
- Statement regarding allegations against former Bro. Paul West 2018
- Statement regarding allegations against Rev. Timothy Crowley 2018
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Downloadable Documents
Links and Data
- Pontifical Commission for the protection of Children
- USCCB office of Child Protection
- John Jay College Study: On May 18, 2011, a research team from John Jay College released a thorough study of causes and context of sexual abuse by priests during the years of 1950-2010. The report explains how physical settings and personal psychology played a role within culture and organizational environments allowing abuse to occur within the Catholic Church. The Diocese of Jackson released a statement related to the study the same day it was published.
- Accredited Schools Online Bullying Awareness Guidebook.
- Hell, Hope and Healing 4-part report from National Catholic Reporter
- Technology Safety Through the Eyes of Faith. A resource guide brought to you by a collaboration between the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of America. Includes tools, discussion points and ideas for parents, kids and educators regarding online safety.
- CommonSense Media Reviews, age ratings and other information regarding all types of media.
- Stop bullying Bullying resource sponsored by the U. S. Department of Health & Human Services.
- Bullying Awareness and Prevention Guide
- Boundless Bullies
- UNDERSTANDING CYBERBULLYING IN COLLEGE: tips, tools & solutions for recognizing and stopping bullying in social media and online
- Prevent Child Abuse Works to ensure health development of children nationwide.
- Netsmartz An interactive, educational program that provides age-appropriate resources to help children be safe on and off-line.
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children Provides services and resources regarding child safety and prevention and offers technical assistance to child victims of abduction and sexual exploitation.
- Office of the Mississippi Attorney General Cybercrime tips for parents
- Mississippi Sex Offender Registry
- Suicide Awareness and Prevention