Mandate and Goals for the Committee

The committee provides the bishops of the United States with comprehensive planning and recommendations concerning child and youth protection, in coordination with the National Review Board.

The secretariat has the following areas of responsibility: provide support and assistance to the National Review Board and Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People, conduct diocesan audits, and exist as a resource for dioceses/eparchies.

Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

In Dallas, 2002, at their Annual Meeting, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops drafted a landmark document in response to the crisis of sexual abuse of children in the Church. This document, setting forth their agreed upon responsibilities in combating the problem, is entitled the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. 

The Charter is a comprehensive set of procedures originally to address allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. The Charter mandates the creation of a permanent USCCB Committee on the Protection of Children and Young People, the National Review Board, and the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection. The Charter also includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability, and prevention of future acts of abuse. It was revised in 2005, 2011, and 2018.  

View full text of the Charter here
The Catholic Church Is Committed to the Safety of Children

The Catholic Church Is Committed to the Safety of Children

The Catholic Church is absolutely committed to the safety of children. Together we can make a Promise to Protect, and a Pledge to Heal.

Report Abuse

Know Something?
Say Something: Report Abuse

REPORT ABUSE

2019 Annual Report

The 2019 Annual Report on the Implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, produced by the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection (SCYP) in 2020, describes the progress of Catholic dioceses/eparchies in the United States, in implementing victim assistance and child protection policies and programs articulated within the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. The report is based on an annual audit process, carried out between July 1, 2018 and June 30, 2019, by StoneBridge Business Partners.

Visit the online USCCB Bookstore to order the latest Annual Report and other resources. 

USCCB Bookstore

Pope Francis Issues Motu Proprio Vos estis lux mundi (“You are the light of the world”)

The Holy Father recently issued new norms for the worldwide response to the evil of sexual abuse. These norms add to layers of response already in place in the United States including the Essential Norms and the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

The news norms affect the global Church and require:

  • easily accessible reporting systems
  • clear standards for the pastoral support of victims and their families
  • timeliness and thoroughness of investigations
  • whistleblower protection for those making allegations
  • active involvement of the laity

Bishops also will be held accountable under the authority of this Motu Proprio, which covers sexual abuse of minors or vulnerable persons, sexual acts compelled through the abuse of authority, and any coverup of such crimes.

The norms also require that Church institutions comply with civil reporting laws.