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 Ms. Erika Rojas, Victims Assistance Coordinator at 601-326-3736

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

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.

Contacts

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:

• 2018 – Teaching Safety Program
• Teaching Boundaries and Safety Guide