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English Safe Environment Training
Español Entrenamiento en Ambiente Seguro
Contact Us

Ida Valdez
Safe Environment Director
Safe Environment
407-246-4822
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Veronika Ortega
Administrative Assistant
Safe Environment
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Victim Assistance Coordinator
Safe Environment
407-256-7179
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Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting System
This service has been created to gather and relay reports of sexual misconduct involving bishops of the United States, and reports of their intentional interference in a sexual abuse investigation. If you wish to report any other kind of misconduct by a bishop, please contact your local diocese or eparchy instead.
Make a report online or call 1-800-276-1562.

Statewide (DCF) Abuse Hotline
1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873)

 

Standards of Conduct

From the Diocese of Orlando Safe Environment Policy: For purposes of this policy only, church personnel includes all individuals who minister, work, or volunteer in any school, parish, or ministry of the Diocese whose compliance with this policy is sought. The term has no legal meaning or significance outside the scope of this policy and is not indicative of any employment or agency relationship.

What are Standards of Conduct?

Any form of sexual misconduct is sinful in the eyes of God. Certain forms of sexual misconduct can be criminal as well.

Church Personnel who engage in any form of sexual misconduct are violating the ministerial relationship, misusing their authority and power, and taking advantage of the vulnerability of those they meet. In these circumstances, there is an absence of meaningful consent to any sexual activity, even if the person is an adult. It is the responsibility of Church Personnel to maintain appropriate emotional and sexual boundaries with those with whom they work or serve.

Standards of Conduct for Church Personnel

Inappropriate Conduct

While it is not possible to identify every form of inappropriate conduct that violates a person’s boundaries, based on the foregoing, it is inappropriate for Church Personnel to:

  • perform any type of sexual act with anyone.

  • give inappropriate gifts (such as lingerie).

  • threaten or cause personal harm or injury.

  • threaten or cause damage to property.

  • smoke or encourage smoking on any diocesan property, school or entity.

  • observe someone undressing while he/she is changing clothes at school, a sporting event or retreat other than necessary supervision in a locker room or approved changing area.

  • denigrate or verbally abuse any person.

  • provide medical advice, or medical procedure unless properly authorized or are required by law.

  • administer drugs, including over-the-counter medication, in the absence of express written permission.

  • provide massages or other physical therapy.

  • examine the genitalia of any person, for any reason.

  • touch an individual inappropriately.

  • use the internet for pornographic* access.

  • use pornography or participate in any acts of pornography involving adults or minors.

  • show sexually suggestive objects or pornography.

  • tell tales of sexual exploits, experiences or conflicts.

  • make sexual propositions.

  • use sexual vulgar language.

  • offer a prolonged hug when a brief hug is customary behavior.

  • kiss on the lips.

  • invite children and young people to their home unsupervised or for overnight stays, even with the permission of the parent or guardian.

  • offer children and young people rides to their homes, even with the permission of the parent or guardian.

*According to the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, the federal legal age for defining child pornography includes pornographic images of minors under the age of eighteen.

We recognize some of these restrictions would not apply due to marital status.

Behaviors that May Indicate Poor Boundaries

    • Overinvestment in children.

    • Over-identification with children.

    • Failure to set appropriate limits with children.

    • Excess animation around children.

    • Indications of anxiety regarding adult sexuality.

    • Overly anxious in interviews or under supervision.

    • Success in getting around the rules.

    • Lack of meaningful, in-depth relationships with adult peers.

    • No sense of responsibility for one’s actions.

    • Keeping secrets with children.

    • Allowing special relationships with individuals.

    • Allowing individuals to break some rules.

    • Gifts to individual young person.

Diocesan Safe Environment Policy

Policies and Forms
How to Report Allegations

  • When an allegation of child sexual abuse is received:

    • Florida Reporting Law is followed. Call the toll-free abuse registry hotline at 1-800-962-2873 or 1-800-342-9152 immediately
    • The Victim Assistance Coordinator is notified, 407-246-7179.
    • The individual is removed from his/her position pending a law enforcement and internal investigation.
    • The Victim Assistance Coordinator commences an investigation as quickly as possible, in coordination with the Senior Director of Human Resources, but no later than within one week of the notification of the allegation, and consults with members of the Diocesan Review Board, the Diocesan Attorney, or others as needed.
    • Recommendations of the Diocesan Review Board are presented to the Bishop.

The Diocesan Review Board acts in a confidential, consultative manner to advise the Bishop in any matter relating to alleged sexual abuse of a Vulnerable Person involving clergy or religious women. This Board and Board Chair are appointed by the Bishop. The Board consists of at least five individuals not employed by the Diocese. The current board has one priest serving. The others are lay members. At the request of the Diocesan Review Board members, their names and credentials are not posted. We honor their request for privacy. 

Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting System

This service has been created to gather and relay reports of sexual misconduct involving bishops of the United States, and reports of their intentional interference in a sexual abuse investigation. If you wish to report any other kind of misconduct by a bishop, please contact your local diocese or eparchy instead.