The “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” provides a comprehensive framework for addressing allegations of sexual abuse and for creating safe environments in parishes and schools, and it directs all sexual abuse policies and procedures in the Archdiocese of Louisville. In August 2005, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops audited our diocese for the third time, and the Archdiocese of Louisville was found to be fully compliant with all elements of the Charter.

Prevention/Education

  • 2,049 employees and volunteers participated in safe environment programming bringing the total trained to 10,497.
  • The archdiocesan web page contains archdiocesan sexual abuse policies, parent information, safe environment information, and community resources.
  • A team of 25 resource persons have been trained to continue safe environment programs at parishes and schools.
  • Safe environment contact persons have been identified at each parish to ensure that staff and volunteers pursue training and that criminal background records checks are conducted properly.

Sexual Abuse Review Board

  • The Review Board reviews past and present cases and monitors the implementation of our sexual abuse policies.

Victim Assistance and Outreach

  • Two victim assistance coordinators — Dr. Tom Robbins and Ms. Brenda Marshall — meet and assist victims/survivors. They can be reached by calling 502/636-1044. The Archdiocese continues to offer counseling assistance to victims/survivors.

Priest Assignment and Status

  • All priests with a substantiated accusation of childhood sexual abuse have been removed from public ministry.  All of the cases of priests with substantiated cases of childhood sexual abuse have been reported to and resolved by the Holy See.

Sexual Abuse Expenditures

  • We have pledged to be accountable for how funds are used to address sexual abuse. Here is a summary reflecting funds that the Archdiocese was committed to pay beginning July 1, 2005 and ending June 30, 2006:

 

Counseling Fees for Victims/Survivors $  16,882
Settlements/Support for Victims/Survivors 350,000
Legal Fees 339,135
Prevention/Education 27,924
Miscellaneous 3,669
Removed Priests 21,527
TOTAL $759,137
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