Protecting Children
The New England Province is committed to creating and maintaining a safe environment for all children who interact with its members and are involved in its ministries. We have put in place clear standards of conduct for all members as well as procedures for investigating and reporting any allegations of abuse or misconduct to the appropriate civil authorities. These standards and procedures are detailed in our Ethics in Ministry Policies, available for download here.
The Province abides by the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, developed in 2002 by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. In keeping with the recommendation of the U.S. Conference of Major Superiors of Men, the Province, in 2006 and again in 2009, contracted with Praesidium, the national leader in abuse risk management, to independently accredit our province policies and our adherence to the Charter provisions. Praesidium provides consultation, risk management assessment, policy development, and training materials for use in preventing sexual misconduct and responding to allegations of sexual misconduct. The Province has twice been found to be in complete compliance and is currently accredited through 2013.
We recognize that abuse of any kind causes lasting pain and damage for the abused and their families as well as the larger Catholic and Jesuit communities. We continue to offer compassion, prayers, and support for all survivors of abuse and strive to make sure the mistakes of the past are not repeated.
Fr. Myles Sheehan, SJ
Provincial, New England Province of Jesuits
Commitment of the New England Province of Jesuits to Prevent and Respond to Sexual Abuse of Minors
-Any member facing allegations of abuse is removed from public ministry and restricted from any contact with minors pending an internal investigation and review process. In addition, all allegations are promptly reported to the appropriate civil authorities
-The Province cooperates fully with any and all investigations by law enforcement or child protection services.
-The Province restricts any member who has been established to have sexually abused a minor from any public ministry and monitors him for life.
-All members are required to abide by the Standards of Conduct for Interaction with Minors and Vulnerable Adults.
-The Province maintains Praesidium Accreditation through periodic audits by Praesidium’s independent auditors.
The Province's entire Ethics in Ministry Policies is available for downloadhere.
How to Report an Allegation of Abuse
If you have been abused by a Jesuit or a Province employee, or if you believe that someone you know has been abused, you are urged to advise the New England Province by contacting the Province Socius/Assistant to the Provincial at 617-607-2800. We also encourage you to reach out to the appropriate civil authorities in the location in which the abuse took place.