If I have been the victim of child sexual abuse by someone representing the Catholic Church, whom should I contact?
Contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese of Lansing, Cheryl Williams-Hecksel, LMSW, 1-888-308-6252 or via e-mail to: vac@dioceseoflansing.org
If anyone has reason to suspect physical, sexual or emotional abuse of any person of any age, please contact the Michigan Attorney General hotline (844)-321-3374, Protective Services or the police, as appropriate.
What if I am an adult victim of sexual harassment, abuse, or other types of harassment by someone who works for the Catholic Church?
Contact the Lighthouse Incident Reporting service, 844-446-0009 or Lisa Kutas, Human Resources Director, 517-342-2511, or via email to lkutas@dioceseoflansing.org .
Do I have to have a Criminal Background Consent (CBC) form on file before running a background check?
Yes. Always make sure you have a Criminal Background consent form on file before running a back ground. At any time those records could be audited and you will need to show you have consent from the individual.
If I already have a Criminal Background Consent form on file from a previous year is the old consent form sufficient to run a current background?
Yes. You may use the old Diocese of Lansing CBC form if that is all you have on file.
What type of background check or fingerprint do I use? How do I know what to use and on whom?
There are two different background systems we use for parish employees. ALL new hire parish employees must have a nationwide back ground processed. The Criminal Background Consent form must be sent to the Safe Environment office for processing.
All parish volunteers who have contact with minors must have an ICHAT ( Internet Criminal History Access Tool - Michigan State Police) processed. The ICHAT can be processed at the parish level.
If a volunteer has not lived in Michigan for a 10 consecutive years, a nationwide background must be processed by the Environment Safe Office.
All school employees full-time and part-time are required to be fingerprinted using the SE (School Employment) code.
Daycare Directors are required to be fingerprinted using the CPE code.
All school volunteers who have contact with minors must have an ICHAT processed. The ICHAT can be processed at the parish level.
If a school volunteer has not lived in Michigan for a 10 consecutive years, a nationwide background must be processed.
Where do I find the most current Safe Environment Forms?
Who needs VIRTUS Protecting God's Children training?
Any adult who has contact with minors.
Who is considered an adult?
Individuals who are 18 years old and graduate from high school.
Who needs a live VIRTUS (on-site) training session and who can take the VIRTUS on line training?
It is recommended that anyone who need the training, take a live session.
All school, parish and Diocesan staff are required to take the live training session. Volunteers may take the online course if the site for the live session if the site, date or time does not work for the volunteer.
How do I know if someone meets the Safe Environment requirements to be a volunteer?
You can first check with the person who is in charge of Child and Youth Protection in your parish or school. That person should be able to verify through VIRTUS if the potential volunteer has had VIRTUS training and a current background check on file. If the information cannot be verified contact the Safe Environment office at 517-342-2551.
Can we ask youth to be a volunteer at an event/trip and do they need the VIRTUS training?
Yes. If a youth volunteer they may go can go in the capacity of assisting a VIRTUS trained/background checked adult. The youth cannot serve in a lead position. Youth do not need a the VIRTUS training. The safe environment training from Religious Education is sufficient for those who are not considered adults and youth are not subject to a background check.
Can I make copies of VIRTUS articles for others?
Yes. We have permission from VIRTUS to copy articles as long as the article shows the copyright (VIRTUS ®)
Can a high school student teach Religious Education?
A high school student may not be the teacher/instructor but we can certainly welcome them to assist an adult teacher who is VIRTUS trained/background checked. A teacher must be at least 18 years old and a graduate from high school.
If we ask other youth or young adults to be a volunteer and serve in a voluntary position as part of our team at an event/ trip who has to go through VIRTUS training and complete a background
Any individual who is 18 years old and graduate from high school is considered an adult and must be VIRTUS trained and have a current background complete if they are going to be considered a chaperone. If volunteer are going along who are 18 years old or under and NOT yet a graduate from high may serve in the capacity of assisting a VIRTUS trained/background checked adult.
In this case, the youth assisting has had Safe Environment training his Religious Education and is not subject to a background check.