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Safe Environment Program

SEP
 
The crisis in the Catholic Church, which began in the Archdiocese of Boston with the revelations of sexual abuse of minors and has spread throughout the world in a widening cycle of failure and recrimination, has not left the Northwest unscathed.
 
Our Lady of the Lake is keenly aware of the anguish caused not just by the failure of individuals but by the systemic failure of the Church to accept responsibility and provide appropriate care for the most vulnerable. In light of this history, and the call of the Gospels, Our Lady of the Lake Parish is dedicated to reconciliation of the past and to the highest standards of protection for the future.
 
As a Parish, we fully adhere to the Archdiocese of Seattle's Safe Environment Program. All staff are all certified in this area.
 

All volunteers who work with children and vulnerable adults are required to follow the instructions as outlined HERE. This includes:

  • Completing a background check every three years
  • Read/sign the Policy for the Prevention and Response to Sexual Abuse, Code of Professional Conduct, and Reporting Suspected Abuse of Minors and Vulnerable Adults
  • Take the three hour Safe Environment Training Program
  • Receive annual updates
 

All volunteers without access to minors or vulnerable adults are required to follow the instructions provided HERE. This includes: 

  • Complete a background check every three years
 
If you have questions please contact Liz Jackman.
 
Training does not aim to stop the predatory individuals, but to help all of us to recognize the warning signs of abuse and to empower us to act before a child or vulnerable adult is harmed. It teaches us to take responsibility in a way that we, as Church must, if we are to heal our history and bless our future.
 
Please follow the link for information about Reporting Suspected Abuse or Neglect of Minors and Vulnerable Adults.
 
For more information consult the Archdiocesan Website.