We believe that the prevention of child sexual abuse begins with each person. Increased awareness and a willingness to take action are steps for every person to take to eradicate abuse in our society, in the community, in the neighborhood, and in the family.
All those who minister (volunteers, employees, and clergy ) in the Diocese of Oakland are to be educated about the nature of child sexual abuse, how it is perpetrated, how to report it, and strategies for prevention. Training is mandatory for all who minister - first before starting work or volunteering and then every three years thereafter. If you are due to retrain, you will receive an email from Virtus to do so.
Employees, clergy and any volunteers with direct, ongoing contact with minors must be live scan fingerprinted and cleared prior to ministry in the Diocese of Oakland. To obtain a Live Scan form, you must register in Virtus and the form can be printed.
YOU CAN ACESS YOUR EXISTING VIRTUS ACCOUNT OR REGISTER AS A NEW USER WITH VIRTUS IN THE MENU ABOVE.
**All Diocesan Sites must have the Code of Conduct for ministry to minors available for review for its constituents. The policy and procedure for reporting sexual misconduct should be published at least quarterly in parish bulletins or through any other communication channels used.**
Anyone wishing to report any allegation of sexual misconduct by any Clergy or Diocesan employee should contact the local authority, i.e. Police or Sheriffs Department, and also the Chancellor/Victims Assistance Coordinator of the Diocese. Survivors may contact our Survivor Advocacy Office below.
The Diocese of Oakland uses the following procedures as part of its pastoral response to these allegations:
La Diócesis de Oakland utiliza los siguientes procedimientos como parte de su respuesta pastoral a estas acusaciones: