Sexual Misconduct Policy

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT POLICY OF THE ARCHDIOCESE OF ANCHORAGE

This policy addresses acts of sexual misconduct by personnel of the Archdiocese and the resulting harm to others, and provides guidance on how to respond to accusations of sexual misconduct.

Sexual misconduct is contrary to Christian values and principles. An abuse of power, sexual misconduct diminishes or destroys the relationship of trust that is so necessary for ministry. Sexual misconduct cannot and will not be tolerated in our Church.

The Archdiocese is committed to addressing and responding to all allegations of sexual misconduct in an appropriate, prompt and effective manner and with due regard for the rights of all. The Archdiocese will comply with all applicable state and local laws regarding incidents of alleged or actual sexual misconduct, and with the following policy.

1. DEFINITIONS

For the purposes of this policy only, the following definitions apply:

1.1 “Allegation” is an accusation of abuse or sexual misconduct. An allegation needs to have the following ingredients: (1) a named victim; (2) a named perpetrator; (3) a time (as specific as can be reasonably determined); (4) a place (as specific as can be reasonably determined); (5) a specific act or acts of abuse or misconduct.

1.2 “Assistance Coordinator” is the individual designated to aid in the immediate pastoral care of persons who claim to be victims of sexual abuse or sexual exploitation and/or the victim’s family. Such assistance should not be construed as an admission of legal responsibility. It is simply a pastoral response to a pastoral need.

1.3 "Diocese" or "diocesan" includes the Archdiocese of Anchorage as a corporate entity and all other diocesan corporations, including the parish corporations.

1.4 “Immoral Sexual Conduct” is sexual behavior that, while not unlawful as described by the laws of the State of Alaska, remains contrary to the moral teachings, doctrines and canon law of the Catholic Church.

1.5 "Investigator" stands for the independent members of the Response Team, (see page 18) Vicar General or his Designee. Response Team members are trained professionals hired from the community at large to investigate specific allegations.

1.6 “Review Board” refers to the Archdiocesan Review Board. (See Appendix I).

1.7 “Sexual Abuse of a Child” includes sexual molestation or sexual exploitation of a minor and other behavior by which an adult uses a minor as an object of sexual gratification.

1.8 “Sexual Misconduct” means any sexual conduct of diocesan personnel which violates the Pastoral Code of Conduct and/or is unlawful as described in the laws of the State of Alaska.

1.9 “Vulnerable persons” means all children and all vulnerable adults as defined by Alaska state law. This is defined to be any person 18 years of age or older is considered “vulnerable” when that person experiences a physical or mental disability or physical or mental impairment. Additionally, the elderly are specifically included in the “vulnerable” category.

2. DIOCESAN PERSONNEL

“Personnel” includes but is not limited to the following categories:

2.1 all incardinated clerics (including all incardinated permanent deacons and all incardinated transitional deacons of the Archdiocese);

2.2 all religious priests, deacons, and brothers working for the archdiocese, its institutions or offices;

2.3 all those non-ordained persons to whom a participation in the exercise of the pastoral care of a parish is entrusted according to Canon 517, Section 2, of the Code of Canon Law;

2.4 all clerics of other jurisdictions who are working for the Archdiocese;

2.5 all women religious working for the Archdiocese, its parishes, schools, institutions or offices;

2.6 all personnel of Catholic schools of the Archdiocese (administration, faculty, and support staff);

2.7 all religious education directors or coordinators and teachers in the parishes and schools of the Archdiocese;

2.8 all youth ministers in the parishes, schools and institutions of the Archdiocese;

2.9 all personnel of archdiocesan campus ministries;

2.10 all paid personnel in the offices of the Diocese, in the parishes of the Archdiocese and other diocesan corporations as determined by the Archbishop.

2.11 all volunteers in the offices and institutions mentioned in Section 2.10, who work on a significant scale with children and youth and other vulnerable persons;

2.12 such other personnel as designated by the Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Anchorage