Centacare: Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton

Working with Children and Young People

Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton ‘We live out the call of baptism through

personal faith in Jesus witnessing together to the Good News of the Kingdom’

Centacare: Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton

Let us pray...

Gracious God,We give thanks for the children of our communities and the many ministries we have in the life of the Diocese. We acknowledge the responsibility we have to journey with children and nurture them in Christian faith. We thank you for this time of learning together and for your blessing. Amen.

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The WorkshopAt the end of the workshop, you should: Know more about ‘Duty of Care’ Be more aware about types of abuse Understand your responsibilities Know how to report, if necessary Be aware of Mandatory reporting

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Two Key Definitions

Church Worker – refers to clergy, members of religious institutes, lay people who perform paid or volunteer work and anyone who presides a service, or engages in other forms of pastoral care or ministry in the name of the Church.

Child – a person under 18 years of age is the common legal definition. They are vulnerable to the fact they have limited social power, less physical strength, more susceptible to authority and have less access to resources.

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It is readily acknowledged that the ministries and services you provide in paid or unpaid role are vital to Church and greatly appreciated!

Because of all the people involved in this great work, there is need for guidelines for all us.

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Duties and Obligations

The Catholic Church is committed to safeguarding children in their care:

Proactively safeguard the welfare of children Take action to protect them Have effective structures in place to respond to

concerns Value and encourage the participation in all

aspects of the faith

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Duty of Care

Under the law, everyone has a duty of care towards others: that means we have a duty of care NOT to harm another, even if we have legal, professional or social relationship with them.

The duty of care is a very old concept – that has developed over centuries – which has been supplemented by considerable legislation at Commonwealth, State and Territory levels.

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Values and Principles

The Church, and accordingly the Diocese, believes:i. Every human being is created by Godii. Personal dignity and integrity are both a right and a

responsibilityiii. Respect in relationships is essential to Christian

communityiv. Children and young people have a right to safety

while in the Diocese’s carev. Adults have a responsibility to care for children and

young people, to promote their welfare and to protect them from any kind of harm

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The Policy

The Diocese recognises the dignity of all children and young people and the significant role that the Catholic Church community plays in promoting environments that nurture the wellbeing of children, young people and their families.

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A Guide to ResponsibilitiesThe Diocese meets the commitment to protect children through the following means:

Awareness - ensure that all staff and volunteers are aware of the problem of child abuse and the risks to children.

Prevention - ensure, through awareness and good practice, and signs of abuse that staff & volunteers minimise the risks to children.

Reporting - ensure that staff and volunteers are clear what steps to take when concerns arise regarding the safety of children.

Responding - ensure that action is taken to support and protect children where concerns arise regarding possible abuse.

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AwarenessConfidentiality and Boundaries

1. We need to maintain CONFIDENTIALITY – It is important to practise appropriate confidentiality in all matters in regard to the protection of children and young people.

2. We need to know our BOUNDARIES – please think about the setting before disclosing any issues.

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Why do we have Child Protection?Legislation - All those employed in pastoral ministry or working in a voluntary capacity with children or young people must comply with the legislation enacted in 2002 – Commission for Children and Young People Act 2000. (Applying for and obtain a Suitability Card (Blue Card) from the Office of the Commission for Children and Young People.)

Awareness

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Questions to ask yourself...Do you have a current blue card?When does it expire?Do you know how to renew it?

Please speak to your parish administrator or the Diocesan Child and Young Person Protection Officer if you have any queries about these issues

Awareness

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Awareness

Types of Abuse – Abuse arises from someone failing in their responsibility towards a child, and in many cases it is also a breach of specific legislation. Abuse has a significant detrimental and often lifelong impact on a person’s physical, pyschological and/or emotional wellbeing.

Needless to say, our obligation to protect children from abuse is not only a legal obligation but also a moral one.

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Impact of Child Abuse and NeglectChildren who grow up in abusive environment may

experience some or all of the following consequences: Low self esteem Poor academic achievement Difficulty forming positive peer relationships and

trusting relationships Difficulty choosing suitable, non-abusive partners Difficulty parenting Drug or alcohol abuse

Awareness

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Harm to children and young people can take many forms and is most often caused by the actions of: a member of family OR someone at a distance from the

immediate parish community such as a parishioner, relative, neighbour friend of family or stranger

Awareness

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Awareness

Harm to children and young people can be caused by:

Physical abuse Sexual abuse or exploitation Emotional or psychological abuse Neglect

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Awareness

Physical Abuse – involves significant physical harm from an injury inflicted to the extent that there are physical effects (eg bruises, cuts, scratches).

The injury may be inflicted intentionally or may be the inadvertent consequence of physical punishment or aggressive treatment.

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Awareness

Sexual Abuse – is the forcing of undesired sexual behaviour by one person upon another whether or not that person is aware of what is happening. The activities may involve physical contact or may include non-contact activities (eg exposure to pornography, or using them in pornographic activities).

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Awareness

Emotional Abuse - this can be through behaviours including: constant criticism, belittling, threatening, unreasonable demands, sever verbal abuse, withholding praise/affection, constant yelling.

Neglect - involves a failure to provide a chid with the basic necessities of life, to the extent that their health and development is, or likely to be, significantly harmed; including being deprived of food, clothing, shelter, medical attention, supervision.

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It is important to know that it is rare that a child or young person will disclose physical or sexual abuse experiences…

Children and young people don’t tell because they: think they are to blame are scared of getting into trouble are embarrassed / ashamed /confused are scared of the perpetrator worry about getting the perpetrator into trouble don’t know that what has happened to them is wrong

Awareness

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Behaviours to Encourage: Be a positive role model – encounters may

have invaluable lasting consequences! Take care to respect personal space Exercise prudent judgement when initiating

physical contact with child, and consider their wellbeing

Endeavour to have 2 adults with children or work with them in space that can be seen by others

Prevention

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Behaviours to Encourage: When supervising groups, aim to have leaders’ genders

reflect the group (ie have both male and female leaders if the children’s group is mixed)

Consciously draw distinctions between the Church role and responsibilities and other social interactions

When visiting children at home, prearrange so that parent/guardian can be present, if at all possible

Report inappropriate behaviours/breaches to Diocesan Child and Young Person Protection Officer

Prevention

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Behaviours to Avoid: Inappropriate language Never ridicule or demean children/young people Being alone with child/children Inviting child/children home after ministry

activities Being alone with child/children in car, if possible One-on-one communication with

emails/txts/other technology (no facebook friends)

Prevention

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We need professional boundaries = the limits that allow for safe connections between individuals.

We need to understand importance of meeting our own emotional needs outside of church work relationships

And reflect on our reasons for undertaking church work – it should be about a desire to serve NOT the need for emotional attachment

Prevention

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Communication TechnologiesAll communication between church workers and

children, by whatever method, should take place within clear and explicit boundaries.

All communications need to be transparent and open to scrutiny.

Prevention

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Social Media“Clergy, Church workers or religious who use social

networking sites in a professional capacity should keep this distinct from a private capacity and care should be taken in accepting or adding ‘friends’. There is great potential for a blurring of boundaries in a social networking field.”

(Social Networking Protocol for the Catholic Church of Australia, ACBC Bishops Commission for Mission and Faith Formation 2011)

Prevention

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Privacy“Privacy should be of the utmost importance, and

care should be taken to protect people, especially youth, from their personal information being displayed on a social networking site.

This particularly refers to phone numbers and email addresses.”

(Social Networking Protocol for the Catholic Church of Australia, ACBC Bishops Commission for Mission and Faith Formation 2011)

Prevention

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Finding a Balance – Where do we Sit?Responses to the Risk of Violence

Paranoia Balanced,confident living

Irresponsibility

Prevention

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Children should develop a network of trusted adultsCriteria for these adults:

1. Listen to the child2. Believe them3. Be available and accessible4. Take action, if necessary, to protect them and

help them feel safe again.

Prevention

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1. Adult living at home+ phone no.

2. School Staff+ phone no.

3. Church Worker+ phone no.

4. Family/Community Member not at home

+ phone no.

5. Family/Community Member not at home

+ phone no.

1

2 3

4

5

How the Network might look

Prevention

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PreventionWe can ensure communication lines are open: Talk with your children about what is happening in

their lives. Show them that you will listen to anything they have

to say. Make sure they know that you will always love

them. Reassure them that you’re glad they told you.

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Prevention

We can teach children the Three Safety Questions

1. Do I get a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ feeling?

2. Does an adult with whom I live know where I am?

3. Can I get help if I need it?

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If a child/young person disclosed an incident of harm to you, it may sound like this:

“I think I saw…..” “Somebody told me that….” “Just think you should know….” “I’m not sure what I want you to do, but….”

Responding

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In the event of a Disclosure, here’s what to do:• Find a private place to talk• Let them tell their experience in their own words

and time• Listen calmly• Validate the disclosure e.g. “I am pleased you have

told me these things”• Believe and support them• Contain your own feelings• Avoid defending the abuser

Responding

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In the event of a Disclosure, here’s what NOT to do:• DO NOT Panic and overreact• DO NOT Ask leading questions e.g. “Was it your father

who did it to you”• DO NOT Ask too many questions• DO NOT Promise confidentiality• DO NOT Make light of it• DO NOT Show your feelings towards the abuser

Responding

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We should emphasise that the child/young person is not to blame...

Accept what is said by the child or young person, only minimum information is required for action.

Focus on child or young person’s current emotions about telling you, don’t ask questions about the actual abuse.

Assure the child or young person that they have the right to feel safe.

Responding

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Try not to express a judgement about the perpetrator

Remember children and young people may still love and will protect abusive parents [and others they feel close to].

Don’t promise not to tellTell the child/young person you will be reporting this

to a person who will be able to help.

Responding

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Mandatory Reporting

Mandatory Reporting is the legal requirement to report suspected cases of child abuse and neglect.

Everyone has a moral obligation to report child abuse or a child at risk!

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ReportingFlowchart

If you have to report an incident/disclosure, follow this procedure

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Code of Conduct

In the Diocese of Rockhampton, all volunteers are expected to follow the principles of:

Safety Respect Support Ethical Communication Ethical Conduct Keeping confidentiality

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Thank you for completing this course!

If this has stirred up anything and you need someone to talk to, please call: XX????

We hope that you have learnt something new from this course, and will continue to keep the safety of children

and young people paramount in your ministry and service.