Child Protection

Every child is sacred and made in the image and likeness of God. The protection of children and prevention of abuse is a shared duty and one we must uphold every hour, every day, every year.

These pillars form a comprehensive and proactive approach to ensuring every child is safe from abuse and harm across all Catholic institutions in the Diocese of Providence including at parishes, schools, and ministries.

Policies and Procedures

The bedrock of our commitment to protecting children. Policies and procedures give clear structure to our efforts and detail the requirements and expectations of all of the other pillars of protection.

Training and Awareness

Educating all adults who interact with children about diocesan policies, procedures, expectations, warning signs, reporting requirements, and the law. For children, Circle of Grace training at all grade levels educates and empowers youth concerning their own safety, boundaries, and healthy relationships.

Screening and Hiring

Beyond merely interviewing, hiring the best candidates for all positions involves checking references and conducting mandatory criminal background checks on all employees and volunteers.

Transparency

Important for building trust, the diocese publicly shares its policies, procedures, and child protection audits. Additionally, the diocese publishes a list of all credibly accused clergy, living and deceased.

Safe Environments

Ensuring all children have safe spaces and safe interactions through requirements around visibility, access, supervision, transportation, communication, and technology use.

Reporting and Investigation

All employees, volunteers, parents, and children are encouraged to report their concerns. The Office of Compliance, established in 1993 and led by former law enforcement leadership, vigorously and independently investigates complaints, concerns, and allegations, and assists in training on the awareness, prevention and reporting of child abuse.

Cooperation

For many decades, the Diocese has cooperated eagerly and frequently with law enforcement agencies. Every allegation—regardless of credibility—is promptly and fully reported to law enforcement to facilitate independent, objective investigations so police can pursue criminal behavior.

Independent Checks

Third party auditors review and assess the diocese’s child protection policies and programs for compliance with the standards set out in the USCCB’s “Dallas” Charter on the Protection of Children and Young People. An independent review board assesses allegations.

 Download the Pillars of Protection Flyer [PDF]

The Diocese of Providence urges anyone who has been the victim of sexual abuse, or with credible knowledge of such abuse, by any member of the Catholic Church, to report allegations to the R.I. State Police, local law enforcement, the R.I. Attorney General’s Office, and Kevin O’Brien, Director, Diocesan Office of Compliance, 401.941.0760, kobrien@dpvd.org.

To seek assistance for victims or family members affected by such abuse, please contact Michael Hansen, Director, Diocesan Office of Outreach & Prevention, 401.946.0728, mhansen@dpvd.org. For more information on the abuse policy of the Diocese of Providence, please visit: dioceseofprovidence.org/compliance.