CHARLOTTE — The Diocese of Charlotte has participated in an independent review of its compliance to nationally prescribed child protection procedures, passing for the 22nd straight year.
The yearly assessment by Stonebridge Business Partners of Rochester, N.Y., monitors U.S. dioceses’ compliance with the U.S. bishops’ “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,” which addresses the Church’s commitment to respond effectively, appropriately and compassionately to cases of abuse of minors by clergy or other Church personnel.
The review covered data related to child protection measures for the period of July 2023 through June 2024.
The external review checked compliance with reporting requirements of the charter, including the diocese’s efforts to ensure the protection of children through criminal background checks and educational awareness programs on recognizing and preventing abuse.
The diocese has been found compliant with all audited articles of the charter each year since the audits began in 2003.
In the fiscal year that ran from July 1, 2023, to June 30, 2024, the diocese conducted 6,991 background checks, required on an ongoing basis for all diocesan clergy, employees and volunteers. Since 2002, more than 80,000 background checks have been conducted. That includes rechecking active volunteers and employees every five years.
A total of 6,290 adults completed training in the diocese’s safe environment educational awareness program, CMG Connect. More than 70,000 adults have received training in this program since it began in 2002.
CMG Connect educates adults to recognize the warning signs of abuse and the many ways that sexual abuse harms victims, families, parishes and communities. It teaches them appropriate ways to respond to suspicious behaviors and how they can help prevent abuse.
The diocese also supports an independent hotline for the reporting of sexual abuse and misconduct. Reports can be made anonymously anytime by phone at 1-888-630-5929 or online at www.redflagreporting.com/rcdoc. (Please note: The Diocese of Charlotte reports all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor to local law enforcement.)
— Catholic News Herald
Learn more
At www.charlottediocese.org: Learn more about the Diocese of Charlotte’s safe environment program and resources