The Diocese has had an extensive program to assist victims/survivors of sexual abuse. Since 2003, roughly $750,000 has been spent on therapy and
essential needs for victims/survivors of sexual abuse, averaging $40,618 per year over
the last 15 years. In addition to direct assistance to victims/survivors, the Diocese has
spent $2.1 million on the Victim Assistance Program over 16 years.
Most of those served by diocesan counseling services or
referrals were not abused by clergy of this diocese, and many others were not
abused by anyone associated with the Church.
A staff of seven people runs the Office for Child
Protection and Victim Assistance, and they are assisted by 42 training
facilitators and 96 parish/school/ministry liaisons. This office oversees extensive
background checks for staff and volunteers, child protection training for
all clergy/staff/volunteers, programs for school and religious
education students, counseling for victims/survivors of sexual abuse, and implementing
the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. Separate from the
Victim Assistance Program, more than 60,000 people have gone through training conducted
by the Office of Child Protection, which has an annual budget of roughly $780,000.