Section 3 – COMPLAINANT

PART A

Prelature Safeguarding Policy (PSP)

Response to Complainants

Art.  136 (PSP Art. 15)

Those who disclose that they have suffered abuses covered by this Policy, as well as their families, have the right to be welcomed, listened to and supported. The Regional Vicar, directly or through the Safeguarding Coordinator, will 

The Regional Vicar may entrust the spiritual accompaniment of offended persons and their families to a qualified priest.

Art.  137 (PSP Art. 16)

Medical, psychological and social support, as appropriate, will also be made available to such persons, as well as information of a legal nature.

PART B

Regional Safeguarding Policy (RSP)

Pastoral Response (Victim) after an Investigation is Closed

Art.  138 (RSP Art. 58)

The Vicar, or someone designated by him, will meet the victim (or the parents or guardians if the victim is still a minor) to inform him or her of the outcome of the preliminary investigation. They will each be accompanied at the meeting by another person.

Art.  139 (RSP Art. 59)

If the accusation has not been shown to be well-founded and the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, where applicable, has confirmed this conclusion, the alleged victim will be informed of this outcome. He or she will be treated with compassion and given whatever help and support are considered necessary and reasonable.

Art.  140 (RSP Art. 60)

When informing the victim about the decree concluding the preliminary investigation (cf. RSP Art. 52), pastoral support shall be offered to him or her – and, where deemed necessary, to his or her family – in the manner best suited to the circumstances.

Pastoral Response (Others) after an Investigation is Closed

Art.  141 (RSP Art. 63)

The Vicar should have regard to the possibility that the victim may have to cope with rejection in his or her social surroundings and that the parents may blame themselves for not having taken better care of their children. He will seek ways and means, with the help of the Advisory Committee if he deems it appropriate, to assist them to recover from the possible psychological and spiritual trauma of the events investigated.

Art.  142 (RSP Art. 64)

It may happen that the offender is a very popular person in the place where the abuse has taken place. The reaction of those who know him or her may include anger, disappointment, disgust, betrayal, disbelief, grief and compassion for the victim, etc. The Vicar, with the help of the Advisory Committee if he deems it appropriate, will give serious consideration to ways of dealing with these conflicting emotions by means of suitable pastoral and psychological remedies.

PART C

Local Safeguarding Policy – Ireland

C-I | Ecclesiastical

Art.  143 | Care and Support for the Complainant  

§1 Complainants who have suffered abuse as children receive a compassionate response when they disclose their abuse. They, and their families, are offered appropriate support, advice and pastoral care.

§2 The Church authority offers appropriate pastoral care to complainants, which recognises their unique needs. This should include an offer from the Church authority to meet the complainant in person.

§3 The Church authority has access to appropriately trained personnel – lay, religious or clergy – whose clearly defined roles are to listen to and represent the pastoral needs of the complainant. This is done in consultation with the complainant.

§4 The Church body works in cooperation with relevant organisations and seeks specialist advice from the statutory child protection services when necessary.

Art.  144 | Pastoral Response to Complainants

§1 People who have been abused want to be heard and to have their very real pain acknowledged. They want a compassionate response from the Church and to see action take place to ensure children are now safe. A person who has suffered abuse will have significant strengths, as well as potential complex needs.

§2 Every complainant is offered access to a support person. The role of the support person is to ensure that the complainant is appropriately supported throughout the process of disclosure and thereafter. It is the prerogative of the complainant whether or not they wish to accept the assistance of a support person 

 ► Indicator R4.A | Page R-42 | Guidance on a Pastoral Response to Complainants

 ► Indicator R4.A | Page R-46  | Template 1: Example Information for Complainants

 ► Indicator R6.A | Page 62 | Guidance on Reparation for the Harm Caused to the Complainant 

Art.  145 | Appropriate Personnel - Support Person

The Church authority must have in place a safeguarding structure that provides consistent and effective responses to the safeguarding needs of child and adult complainants across the Church as a whole. Complainants need to be listened to and heard to ensure that any allegation or disclosure of abuse is handled compassionately, effectively and professionally.

 ► Indicator R2.A | Page R-25 | Guidance on Appropriate Personnel - Support Person 

Art.  146 | Role of the Support Person

The role of the support person is outlined the Guidance in NBSCCCI Indicator R2.A. It is worth highlighting that this person is not a counsellor or a spiritual guide for the complainant and should not act in that role. The support person does not manage the case file and will not have access to it. If the complainant is a child, the support person should liaise with the parents/guardians of the child.

 ► Indicator R2.A | Page R-25 | Guidance on Appropriate Personnel - Support Person 

Art.  147 | Contacts for Relevant Organisations and Agencies (RoI & NI)

Contact details for statutory bodies responsible for safeguarding children and vulnerable adults in Ireland are listed 

See also the Tusla Child Safeguarding Resourse List.