Knights of Columbus Safe Environment Program Frequently Asked Questions State Advocates Meeting Saturday, June 13, 2015 Dallas/Fort Worth Airport Marriott Dallas, Texas Brian J. Gedicks Associate General Counsel

Child Sexual Abuse: A Risk Across Society

The impact of abuse on victims Research shows that sexual abuse is widespread—it affects more people than heart disease, breast cancer, drug abuse, and autoimmune diseases. The immediate effects of sexual abuse often include depression, anxiety, aggression, and self-harm. Long-term effects may include poor physical and mental health, impaired social skills and academic performance, developmental and behavioral problems, and an increased participation in high-risk activities like drug abuse or sexual promiscuity. A single incident of abuse can cause a lifetime of pain and suffering for a child or vulnerable adult.

Impact on Organizations A single incident of abuse can cause irreparable damage to an organization’s reputation, financial stability, and insurability. Organizations where sexual abuse occurs typically experience financial loss, damaged reputation, and low morale. Entire programs are shaken by incidents of abuse, left wondering what they could have done to prevent the incident from occurring in the first place. Plaintiff’s attorneys prevail in more than two-thirds of sexual abuse cases against an organization.

Impact on Organizations Step back from these alarming and tragic facts and ask yourself, “How would I feel if this happened in my program or under my watch— or to my child?”

Knights of Columbus is a youth serving organization Since the early days of its founding through its protection of the orphans of its members, the Knights of Columbus has worked to provide for the welfare of young people.

Knights of Columbus is a youth serving organization Through sponsoring sports activities and championships, Columbian Squires, educational programs, scholarships, Catholic Scouting, and a variety of other initiatives, the Order looks to foster development of young people as they follow their paths to adulthood.

Knights of Columbus Safe Environment Program Knights of Columbus is committed to make sure that it is doing everything it can to keep young people in its care safe. To further strengthen its long-standing commitment to protecting the young people it serves, Knights of Columbus partnered with Praesidium in 2014 to build upon its existing Youth Protection Program. Praesidium has worked with more than 4000 organizations over the last 25 years to keep children safe.

Why is the Knights of Columbus so committed to the protection of children? Because as Catholics and as Knights of Columbus, we all have a moral responsibility to look out for and protect children and young people – it is the right thing to do. To protect all those selfless volunteer members of the Knights of Columbus who generously give their time to serve children and young people through the programs of the Knights of Columbus. To protect the venerable name of the Knights of Columbus that has been built up through the good deeds of its members over the last 133+ years.

If I have already taken another organization’s youth protection training and background check, why do I have complete the requirements of the Knights of Columbus Safe Environment Program? Because the Knights of Columbus does not rely on other organizations to fulfil its responsibility for protecting children and young people. The Knights of Columbus is responsible for ensuring that its members know Knights of Columbus Safe Environment/Youth Protection Policies and Procedures. Knights of Columbus conducts and maintains its own original background checks on those members serving in youth leader roles. Knights of Columbus is not allowed to access confidential, privileged, and otherwise legally protected files and records of other organizations. Knights of Columbus protects and preserves each member’s record of completion to protect the member and the Order.

Knights of Columbus volunteer youth leader time spent completing Safe Environment Program requirments is time well spent The training only takes about and hour and only represents a tiny fraction of the amount of time spent doing the actual volunteer work. A worthwhile cause - we can never do enough to protect children and young people in our care. If the small time spent in training helps prevent the abuse and possible death of one child, is it not worth it?

State Advocate Role Support State Deputy, District Deputies, and Grand Knights in making sure that all members of the Knights of Columbus who are required to under go the training do so. Lead by example. Be prepared to answer questions.

Questions?