Could our diocesan funds pay settlement or legal costs associated with child sexual abuse or sexual misconduct cases for OTHER dioceses?

Each diocese operates independently. No diocese is held financially responsible for debts of another diocese. 

 

Does the Diocese of Arlington have insurance to address sexual misconduct cases?

As a standard practice since the early 1990s, the Diocese of Arlington has included sexual misconduct insurance among its array of insurance coverages to help protect the donations made to the Diocese for ministry and charitable works.

 

Has the Diocese paid settlements to victims of abuse?

Over its 44-year history, the Diocese has paid approximately $110,000 from insurance funds in settlements of claims of sexual abuse of minors by clergy.

 

Are Bishop's Lenten Appeal or Catholic Charities funds used in sex abuse settlements?

No. Funds provided for the Bishop's Lenten Appeal, disaster relief, Catholic Charities, etc. are used for the purposes for which they are given and not in relation to claims of sexual abuse of minors. The Diocese has insurance policies in place to protect donor funds from lawsuits and/or claims.

 

What other expenses has the Diocese paid to assist victims or to prevent abuse?

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.