Our Policy

"Sexual Abuse Policy"

“I [We] are called to heal the
wounded, to bind up those who are bruised, and to bring home those who have lost their way.”

TOR Rule #30 §

Recognizing our oneness with all people as
brothers and sisters and abhorring the violence
within the human family, we will proclaim the
“pace e bene” of Francis to break the cycle of
violence. We commit ourselves to be forgivers
and reconcilers within our congregation and
among those with whom we live and minister.

Directional Statement, Peacemaking
Sisters of St. Francis of Tiffin, Ohio

SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS OF TIFFIN, OHIO

Policy Regarding Sexual Abuse

I.	General Principles

As Tiffin Franciscans we are called to live the gospel of Jesus Christ in a spirit of reverence for all creation. It is this very spirit that governs the manner in which the congregation will deal with instances in which a member is reported to have engaged in behavior involving sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults (as defined in state statute).
We believe that abuse in any form is totally inconsistent with the Christian values and our mission to treat all God’s children with respect and reverence. Sexual abuse or violence of any type toward another is always inappropriate for a Sister of St. Francis. Each Sister is expected, therefore, to maintain professional integrity throughout her years of religious life.
The Community Minister or her designee recognizes her responsibility to assist those affected by sexual abuse by members of the congregation. Of primary concern for the Community Minister or her designee is the victim’s safety, well-being, and healing. The Community Minister or her designee is also deeply concerned about the victim’s family, the members of the congregation, and the Sister accused.

1.	Seeks advice from appropriate persons (e.g. someone who has dealt with a similar situation, an attorney, etc.)

2.	Responds to the accusation by making contact with the alleged victim, in person if possible, or by letter, or other ways advised by appropriate persons. Assures the alleged victim/victim’s family of the congregation’s commitment to seek justice and truth. Encourages treatment and offers to help cover reasonable costs of treatment during the investigation irregardless of the truth of the allegations.



3.	Informs the accused member and advises her not to say anything until she obtains legal advice. Asks the accused member to choose a support person and to inform her local minister and the congregational leadership of her choice.

4.	Informs the member to have no contact with the victim.
5.	Delegates an appropriate person (e.g. the secretary of the congregation, the archivist, etc.) to do some initial investigation of records, etc. to see if the member was assigned at that place, etc.

6.	Meets with the member and her attorney to hear the member’s response to the accusation.

7.	Informs state authority when required by law.
8.	Notifies the liability insurance carrier of the congregation.
9.	Determines who will be the spokesperson to the public (media, etc.) if the allegation becomes public.

10.	Determines who and when various persons are informed (e.g. the congregation, diocesan officials, member’s employer, etc.)

11.	Prepares a press statement in case the allegation becomes public
12.	If the allegation seems credible and the member denies it, the leadership of the congregation may hire an outside investigator to investigate the facts and make a report to them.

13.	When the accusation appears to be credible, suspends the member from duties, assignments, activities or environments posing a foreseeable danger of abuse or misconduct.

14.	May inform the alleged victim when an investigation by an outside investigator is being performed.

15.	After receiving the facts, consults with the Review Board, a group of professional neutral persons, for their recommendation on the credibility and substantiation of the allegation. The Review Board monitors the implementation of the congregation’s policy and advises on a safety plan if the member has abused.


16.	Informs the alleged victim and the member of the determination.
17.	Should the allegations be substantiated or indicated to be true, informs the member of her right to seek appropriate treatment.

18.	Advises the Crisis Management Team, a group of persons neutral to the case, to provide pastoral contact with the victim and the victim’s family, as appropriate. (No action considered by the Crisis Management Team should be taken without prior consultation with the leadership of the congregation, an attorney, and the congregation’s insurance carrier.)



19.	Offers pastoral support to the member’s family.
20.	Provides for pastoral support for the members of the congregation.

Definitions
A.	Sexual abuse means any sexual contact or conduct with
	a)	a person under the age of 18
	b)	a vulnerable adult as defined by state law.
B.	Support person for the accused member is a person designated to provide personal and emotional help for the accused member throughout the period of investigation. The support person is generally not the accused member’s local minister, the Community Minister, a member of the General Council, or anyone who may be involved in making administrative decisions concerning the case. The support person should be a friend of the accused member and one who can assist leadership in communicating with the member as the case unfolds.

C.	If the member is being treated in an outpatient program as a result of an accusation, the Community Minister or her designee will provide appropriate disclosure of the member’s past behavior to selected persons at her residence in an effort to support the member and to help facilitate a safe environment for those who might enter it.


D.	When an allegation has been substantiated and if the member has completed the recommended course of treatment, the Community Minister, in consultation with the General Council and appropriate professional advisors, determines whether the member should be permitted to minister and, if so, under what conditions. A member against whom an accusation has been substantiated will not be permitted to engage in any ministry that involves direct contact with minors or other vulnerable persons. She may be permitted to engage in other forms of ministry, provided the responsible professionals have advised that she is not a threat to the public and it is possible to adequately supervise and monitor her contacts with the public to assure that there will be no recurrence of the disordered behavior.






E.	Should it be determined that the member cannot safely be permitted to return to public ministry, the Community Minister promptly informs her of that determination and assists her in finding responsible alternatives

F.	When an allegation is unsubstantiated, appropriate treatment will be offered for the member, as needed, since such an accusation can be devastating.

G.	The congregation is committed to providing competent specialized therapy or other appropriate outreach, both pastoral and spiritual, for any of its members who engage in or appear to have engaged in sexual abuse.

H.	If a former or a deceased member of the congregation is accused, the Review Board reviews the complaint and determines if the congregation should be involved in the case.

III.	This policy is applicable to candidates and novices of the congregation.

IV.	This policy may be applied as appropriate in a case when the member is deceased.

V.	This policy may be applied as appropriate in cases of sexual misconduct with an adult.

VI.	Congregational Education It is important that the entire congregation be educated about the issues of sexual abuse and misconduct. Yearly resources will be made available to congregational members.

II.	Procedures for Addressing Accusations

The procedures described below are not an expression of any judgment of guilt or innocence, but rather are intended to deal with the serious nature of such cases and to protect the rights of all concerned. Some of these actions occur simultaneously, while others may not be appropriate in a given case.

A.	When an allegation is made either in person or by letter or through an attorney, the Community Minister or her designee at all times keeps the appropriate confidentiality and documents all steps taken.
B.	In responding to an allegation, the Community Minister or her delegate usually does the following: