INDICATORS

4.1.1. The church body has a comprehensive Complaints Policy that is easily accessible and understandable.

4.1.2. There are clear procedures that provide step-by-step guidance on the response, action(s) to be taken, and who is responsible for different types of complaints, including:

• Breaches of Codes of Conduct;
• Disclosures, allegations, or concerns of current abuse of a child;
• An adult bringing forward a complaint of abuse suffered as a child; and
• An adult bringing forward a complaint of current or past abuse experienced as an adult by someone who is or was in service to the Church. 

4.1.3. The church body’s Complaints Policy outlines how perceived or actual conflicts of interest are managed.

4.1.4. The church body’s Complaints Policy acknowledges that power imbalances may exist between the complainant and respondent and has strategies in place to address this.

4.1.5. The church body’s Complaints Policy spells out who is responsible for handling complaints when procedures are enacted and the timeliness of required actions.

4.1.6. Abuse complaints, incidents, allegations, disclosures, concerns, and referrals are recorded, and confidential information is stored, protected, and retained according to Church and local privacy laws.

4.1.7. The Complaints Policy and procedures demonstrate how the safety and well-being of children and vulnerable adults are prioritized (i.e. The Paramountcy Principle).

4.2.1. The church body’s Complaints Policy ensures an initial risk assessment is conducted upon receiving an abuse complaint. This may include temporarily restricting the respondent’s duties and movements until the investigation process concludes.

4.2.2. The church body has clear policies and procedures to assess and manage risks to children and vulnerable adults following the reporting of an allegation.

4.2.3. The church body’s Complaints Policy includes clear procedures for informing individuals about allegations made against them (including any risk-management measures), and maintaining clear records of the steps taken in responding to and managing the complaint.

4.2.4. Complainants are responded to promptly and provided with regular updates on the progress of their complaint(s).

4.2.5. While maintaining confidentiality and the rights of all involved, the church authority seeks to maintain transparency concerning the management of allegations, demonstrating how the process was communicated to relevant parties and any feedback received from involved parties regarding the process.

4.2.6. Clear support mechanisms are established for complainants that is trauma-informed and victim-centered, ensuring that support and care are offered to any child or adult who has experienced or is alleging abuse.

4.2.7. Clear support mechanisms are established for individuals facing allegations, guaranteeing fairness and compassionate handling at every stage. Following the conclusion of an investigation, the church authority is responsible for enacting suitable responses based on the findings, including measures for restoring the reputation of individuals implicated in false or vexatious complaints.

4.2.8. The church authority must ensure the availability of trained and qualified personnel who are skilled in listening to allegations, performing canonical preliminary investigations, and managing associated risks.

4.2.9. Sharing information relating to complaints adheres to relevant privacy legislation and canon law, respecting the reputation and privacy of both the complainant and the respondent during any investigation process.

4.2.10. The church body’s Complaints Policy and procedures empower and support personnel to raise, in good faith, concerns and allegations about unacceptable behavior towards children and adults by other personnel and include provisions for the protection of whistle-blowers from prejudice, retaliation, or discrimination.

4.2.11. When a complaint against a clergy, religious, or lay church official is upheld under a civil standard, the church body undertakes a risk management process to determine the appropriate action. A clergy member may be prohibited from exercising public ministry.

4.2.12. In cases where a person accused of sexual abuse is convicted of a canonical delict relating to said abuse, the church authority imposes the penalty corresponding to the sentence by the relevant Dicastery, which should include that the respondent is to be prohibited from the exercise of ministry.

4.3.1. All reports of sexual abuse should be reported to the civil authorities. The church body maintains documented evidence of their cooperation with civil authorities in responding to abuse allegations.

4.3.2. Clear and accessible mechanisms ensure the reporting of all abuse allegations to the appropriate civil and church authorities. This should stipulate reporting to the local bishop where the alleged events took place.

4.3.3. Each Metropolitan must establish procedures for managing allegations against Bishops and church authorities. This includes actions or omissions that result in abuse, in accordance with Vos Estis Lux Mundi, articles 6-17.