Education and knowledge can help prevent abuse
The Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) Office oversees safe environment programs for children and adults within the Diocese of Austin. Safe environment programs typically focus on the prevention of sexual abuse, although what we learn in these programs can help identify, report and prevent all types of abuse.
The Ethics and Integrity in Ministry (EIM) Office oversees safe environment programs for children and adults within the Diocese of Austin. Safe environment programs typically focus on the prevention of sexual abuse, although what we learn in these programs can help identify, report and prevent all types of abuse.
For both children and adults, the programs are run through VIRTUS.org. Empowering God’s Children (EGC) teaches children about boundaries and safety rules. Protecting God’s Children teaches safe adults about how to identify and report abusive and inappropriate behavior. The EIM Office was created in 2001.
Every year, the EIM Office is audited by StoneBridge Business Partners, an outside audit firm hired by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). Annually, the firm reviews training reports, background check reports, children’s program numbers and allegations of abuse by clergy members from that past audit year. The Diocese of Austin has been deemed compliant every year based on the annual audit. This audit aids the EIM Office in detecting gaps and fixing problems that may arise so that we are best equipped to protect children and vulnerable adults from abuse.
This past audit year, July 1, 2023-June 30, 2024, the EIM Office and the Diocese of Austin were once again found to be compliant by the USCCB.
The goal for the 2023-24 audit period was to increase participation in the children’s program, Empowering God’s Children. This goal was achieved as participation rates more than doubled, and over 26,000 children in the diocese were trained on how to advocate for their safety when they are not in the immediate care of a safe adult. Information and instructions for this program are found at www.austindiocese.org/Empowering-Gods-Children.
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. As an involved member in your community, you may be the first person to notice a child or vulnerable adult is showing signs of abuse. The more people who are taught to spot and empowered to report abusive, inappropriate or unsafe behavior, the safer children and vulnerable adults will be within our diocese
For information on reporting abuse go to www.austindiocese.org/report-abuse.
For general EIM instructions go to www.austindiocese.org/eim-instructions.
For our policies and procedures go to www.austindiocese.org/eim-policies.
For resources go to www.austindiocese.org/resources-information.
Abby Turner is the director of the Ethics and Integrity in Ministry Office of the Diocese of Austin. She can be reached at (512) 949-2447 or eim@austindiocese.org.
