Safe Environment
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Contact Info
Kathy Ricordati
Safe Environment Coordinator for St. Isaac Jogues
[email protected]
630-323-3244 ext. 1237
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Safe Environment ProgramsVIRTUS® PROTECTING GOD'S CHILDREN™To foster a safe environment for children and vulnerable adults, the Diocese of Joliet requires that church personnel (clergy, seminarians, diaconal candidates, religious, employees, and volunteers who work with minors and/or vulnerable adults) comply with the safe environment compliance requirements of the Diocese.
These requirements include educational programs identified by the Diocese which contain information about sexual abuse, its identifying signs, controlling access to children and vulnerable adults, appropriate boundaries in relationships, reporting incidents of abuse and the effects of abuse on victims/survivors.
Prior to beginning service, all church personnel are required to complete the safe environment training program identified by the Diocese, currently the VIRTUS Protecting God’s Children for Adults program (or PGC). In addition to clergy, seminarians, diaconal candidates, religious, and employees, this requirement applies to all volunteers who minister with minors and/or vulnerable adults on a regular, recurring basis and those who may have an opportunity to be alone with children and/or vulnerable adults during parish, school or religious education sponsored events. The program is also available to parents and guardians.
PGC is currently offered as an online training, which is accessed through a user’s VIRTUS account.
All church personnel are required to have a VIRTUS account, which assists a user with completing and keeping up to date with safe environment compliance requirements.
- To register for a VIRTUS account, please visit: VIRTUS® Online (virtusonline.org)
- For assistance with the registration process, please see the VIRTUS online registration instructions for the Diocese of Joliet
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Resources
Policies
Below are links to the Diocese of Joliet policies regarding sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults in English (Spanish and Polish translations are in process).
- Revised 2023: DOJ Policy Regarding Sexual Abuse of Minors and Vulnerable Adults by Church Personnel
- Normas Diocesanas Relacionadas Al Abuso Sexual De Menores Y Adultos Vulnerables Por Personal De La Iglesia (Revisado El 20 De Diciembre Del 2023)
- Polityka Dotycząca Wylprzystywania Seksualnego Nieletnich I Osob Dorosłych Niepełnosprawnych Prezez Personale Kościelny (Uwzględniająca Zmiany z 20 Grudnai 2023 r.)
Standards of Behavior
Below are links to the Diocese of Joliet standards of behavior for those working with minors or vulnerable adults in English (Spanish and Polish translations are in process).
- Revised 2023: DOJ Standards of Behavior for Those Working with Minors and Vulnerable Adults
- Normas De Comportamiento Para Los Que Trabajan Con Menores Y Adultos Vulnerables (Revisado El 20 De Diciembre Del 2023)
- Normy Prawne Zachowania Dla Osób Pracujących Z Nieletnimi I Osobami Dorosłyni Niewpełnosprawnymi (Poprawiono 20 Grudnia 2023 R.)
Volunteer Applications
Below are links to the Diocese of Joliet volunteer applications for both adults (18+) and minors (anyone under the age of 18).
DCFS Forms
- Cants 22a: Acknowledgement of Mandated Reporter Status (Clergy)
- Cants 22: Acknowledgement of Mandated Reporter Status
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Resources
The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) site has many resources regarding the protection of children and young people, including the charter for protection of children and young people, committee information, an annual report, podcasts, FAQs and more.
USCCB's Committee on Protection of Children and Young People
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Make a Report
Please call 911 if a child is in immediate danger or has been injured.
Reporting abuse and neglect in Illinois
Call the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) hotline:
- 1-800-25ABUSE (1-800-252-2873)
- 1-217-524-2606 (if calling from outside of Illinois)
- 1-800-358-5117 TTY
To report non-life threatening and non-emergency incidents of abuse or neglect of a child, you may make a report through DCFS’s Online Child Neglect Reporting System:
State of Illinois | Online Child Abuse Neglect Reporting
For additional information on reporting to DCFS
Child Protection - Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (illinois.gov)
We are here to listen and support you. Our team is dedicated to helping victims/survivors through the reporting of any instances of abuse you have experienced by church personnel of the Diocese of Joliet and also to assist in your healing process. We strongly encourage you to make an initial report to the local civil authorities and then/or at the same time as you contact our office. We greatly appreciate your vulnerability and courage in sharing your story.
Our diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator receives reports of the sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults. Please contact Lori Chassee, the diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator, at 815-263-6467.
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