WASHINGTON—TheU.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops' Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection has released their 2017 Annual Report – Findings andRecommendations on the Implementation of the Charter for the Protection ofChildren and Young People.

The2017 report for audit year July 1, 2016 – June 30, 2017, states that 654 adultscame forward with 695 allegations. Compared to 2015 and 2016, the number ofallegations has decreased significantly due to fewer bankruptcy proceedings and statute of limitations changes. Also, it notes that 1,702 victim/survivorsreceived ongoing support. All dioceses and eparchies that received anallegation of sexual abuse during the 2017 audit year reported them to theappropriate civil authorities.

Thereport also notes the ongoing work of the Church in continuing the call toensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. In 2017, over 2.5 millionbackground checks were conducted on Church clerics, employees, andvolunteers. Over 2.5 million adults and 4.1 million children have alsobeen trained on how to identify the warning signs of abuse and how to reportthose signs.

Twenty-fournew allegations came from minors. As ofJune 30, 2017, six were substantiated and the clergy were removed fromministry. These allegations came fromthree different dioceses. Four of thesix allegations were against the same priest. Eight allegations were unsubstantiated as ofJune 30, 2017. Three were categorized as"unable to be proven" and investigations were still in process for five of theallegations as of June 30, 2017.

RegardingCharter Compliance, the report noted the following:

Two eparchies and one diocesedid not participate in the audit this year.

191 dioceses were foundcompliant with the Charter.

All diocese/eparchiesparticipating in the 133 data collection audits were found compliant withthe data collection process.

Of the sixty-onedioceses/eparchies participating in the on-site audits, all were foundcompliant except for three eparchies.

All three eparchies were foundnon-compliant with Article 2 for the 2017 audit period.

One eparchy was also found non-compliantwith Articles 12 and 13.

TheCommittee on the Protection of Children and Young People continues toemphasize that the audit and the maintaining zero-tolerance policies are twoimportant tools in the Church's broader program of creating a culture ofprotection and healing that exceeds the requirements of the Charter.

Thisis the fifteenth such report since 2002 when the U.S. Conference of CatholicBishops approved the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People,making a promise to protect and a pledge to heal.

Thefull Annual Report can be found here: http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/upload/2017-Report.pdf

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Keywords:U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, USCCB, Committee on the Protection ofChildren and Young People, 2017 Annual Report – Findings and Recommendations,children, young people, vulnerable adults, dioceses/eparchies, sexual abuse,religious orders, Charter compliance, Charter for the Protection of Childrenand Young People, safety, protection, healing.

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Judy Keane

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