Discrimination Policy & Employee Code of Conduct

 EMPLOYEE PROFESSIONAL CODE OF CONDUCT

The Illinois State Board of Education has outlined a set of core principles, values, and responsibilities that educators must have in order to accomplish the goal of meeting the educational needs of every student. Many of these principles guide practice and professional excellence in relation to federal, state, and local policies regarding sexual abuse. Known as Faith’s Law and Erin’s Law, these amendments to the Illinois School Code aim to address sexual abuse prevention and responses in schools.

Under the Abused and Neglected Child Reporting Act (ANCRA) under Title IX of the federal Education Amendments of 1972, all employees of Regina Dominican have reporting requirements when abuse or neglect of a student is suspected. As such, all employees of Regina Dominican are required to complete all mandated reporter and Virtus training related to abuse as according to state and federal law.

The school has developed an employee code of professional conduct policy that addresses all required elements specified in 105 ILCS 5/22-85.5(d). It is expected and required that all employees of Regina Dominican maintain a standard of professional relationships and conduct with students that is age appropriate for the developmental level of our students.  Parents/guardians are notified annually of this policy via the school newsletter, website, and this handbook.

In accordance with the requirements of Faith’s Law, our employee code of conduct is as follows: 

STANDARDS OF BEHAVIOR FOR SCHOOL PERSONNEL WHO HAVE CONTACT WITH MINORS AND VULNERABLE ADULTS 

Healthy relationships among people are a foundation of Christian ministry and are central to Catholic life. School personnel in particular must be worthy of public trust and confidence. It is fundamental to the mission of the school that personnel conduct themselves in a moral and ethical manner consistent with Catholic principles. Personnel are expected to read, understand and comply with archdiocesan policies and procedures addressing the protection of children and youth including but not limited to those requiring the immediate reporting of all concerns about suspicious inappropriate behavior (whether physical, emotional, psychological or sexual) and boundary violations to their pastor or principal and those mandated reporting laws pertaining to the abuse and/or neglect of minors. Conduct applies to both on and off school grounds in sponsored activities. Therefore, as someone who ministers to minors and/or vulnerable adults, I will maintain a professional role and be mindful of the trust and power I possess as a minister to young people and vulnerable adults. I will not engage in any form of inappropriate conduct with a minor or a vulnerable adult, regardless of who initiates such conduct. Any violation of these Standards of Behavior will result in consequences up to and including dismissal or withdrawal from ministry. For purposes of these Standards of Behavior, “minor” is any person under the age of 18. “Vulnerable adult” is any adult in a state of infirmity, physical or mental deficiency, or deprivation of personal liberty which, in fact, even occasionally, limits their ability to understand or to want or otherwise resist the offense.

In accordance with requirements of Faith’s law our employee code of conduct is as follows:

To achieve this, I WILL NOT: 

• Have a personal relationship with any minor or vulnerable adult with whom I also have a professional relationship through my work/ministry/service, even if the minor or vulnerable adult initiates such personal relationship. 
• Touch a minor or vulnerable adult in a sexual way or other inappropriate manner such as pinching, brushing the body, pushing, patting, feeling, tickling, rubbing, or massaging. 
• Be alone with a minor or vulnerable adult in a residence, rectory, sleeping facility, or any closed room. 
• Share any sleeping arrangements such as bed, sleeping bag or small tent with a minor or vulnerable adult. 
• Take an overnight trip alone with a minor or vulnerable adult. 
• Acquire, possess or distribute any form of sexual material to a minor or vulnerable adult. 
• Introduce sexually oriented topics, vocabulary, music, jokes, propositions, recordings, films, games, websites, computer software or entertainment to a minor or vulnerable adult unless it is has been approved by the office and the agency or department responsible for developing the educational content. 
• Provide alcohol, cigarettes, marijuana or controlled substances to a minor or vulnerable adult. 
• Use, possess, or be under the influence of illegal drugs, or be under the influence of prescription or over-the-counter medication due to misuse. 
• Use alcohol when engaged in ministering to a minor or vulnerable adult. 
• Engage in physical discipline for behavior management of minors or vulnerable adults. 
• Humiliate, ridicule, threaten, harass (verbally or physically), or degrade another person. 
• Use profanity or vulgarities in the presence of minors or vulnerable adults. 
• Be nude (partially or full) in the presence of minors or vulnerable adults. 
• Photograph minors or vulnerable adults without a written consent in the form of a release from a parent or legal guardian. 
• Communicate with a minor or vulnerable adult through the use of electronic means, except when delivering information regarding a program, event, or school function.  

 

To help me keep the promises in the Standards, I WILL: 

• Report any suspected child abuse or abuse of a vulnerable adult, including child pornography, to the proper authorities. 
• Avoid gratuitous physical contact with a minor or vulnerable adult. Gratuitous physical contact with minors or vulnerable adults can be misconstrued, especially in private settings. See “Conduct that Is Not Permissible” for examples of prohibited gratuitous physical contact. 
• Avoid overnight stays with a minor or vulnerable adult unless there is another adult present in a supervisory role. 
• Avoid providing overnight accommodations for minors or vulnerable adults in private residences or rectories. 
• Avoid driving alone in a vehicle with a minor or vulnerable adult. 
• Have more than one child and at least one other adult present when using one’s own home for youth work. 
• Assume the full burden for setting and maintaining clear, appropriate physical and emotional boundaries in all ministerial relationships. 
• Refrain from giving gifts to a minor or vulnerable adult without advance knowledge and approval of the parent, guardian or caregiver. 
• Avoid meeting privately with minors or vulnerable adults in rooms, offices, or similar areas where there is no window or where the door does not remain open. If one-on-one pastoral care of a minor or vulnerable adult is needed (e.g. Sacrament of Reconciliation) avoid meeting in isolated locations or closed rooms. 
• Adhere to the Archdiocese Electronic Communications Guidelines Applicable to All Groups and the Special Rules for Use of Group Messaging Apps when communicating with minors and/or vulnerable adults via email or other electronic means. 
• Ensure that all activities involving minors or vulnerable adults (extra-curricular, catechetical, youth ministry, scouting, athletics etc.) for which I am responsible have been approved in advance by my supervisor or administrator. 
• Have an adequate number of adults present at events. A minimum of two adults in supervisory roles must always be present during activities for minors and vulnerable adults. 
• Ensure no minors or vulnerable adults are left unattended after program/activity concludes. 
• Avoid taking minors and vulnerable adults away from the parish, school, or agency for field trips, etc. without another adult present in a supervisory role. Obtain written parental/guardian permission before such activities. Permission slips must include the type, locations, dates, and times of the activity, and emergency contact numbers of minor’s or vulnerable adult’s parent, guardian, or caregiver. 

 

PRACTICAL SUGGESTIONS 

These are some practical suggestions for identifying permissible and impermissible conduct. 

Conduct that May Be Permissible 

Appropriate affection between School personnel and minors and vulnerable adults constitutes a positive part of School life and ministry. Nonetheless, any touching can be misunderstood and must be considered with great discretion. Depending on the circumstances, the following forms of affection are customarily (but not always) regarded as appropriate and applicable when initiated by the minor or vulnerable adult: 

• Verbal praise 
• Handshakes 
• “High-fives,” hand slapping and “fist bumps” 
• Brief pats on the shoulder or back 
• Hugs (brief) 
• Holding hands while walking 
• Sitting beside 
• Holding hands during prayer 
• Pats on the head when culturally appropriate 

Conduct that is Not Permissible 

Some forms of physical affection have been used by adults to initiate inappropriate contact with minors. In order to maintain the safest possible environment for minors and vulnerable adults, the following are examples of affection that are NOT TO BE USED: 

• Inappropriate or lengthy embraces 
• Kisses 
• Holding minors over four years old on the lap 
• Touching buttocks, chest, knees, legs or genital areas 
• Being with minors or vulnerable adults in isolated areas such as bedrooms, closets, staff-only areas or other private and closed rooms 
• Inappropriate physical affection in all places, non-public as well as public 
• Being reclined with a minor or vulnerable adult 
• Wrestling or tickling minors or vulnerable adults 
• Piggyback rides 
• Any type of massage given by minor or vulnerable adult to adult, or by adult to minor or vulnerable adult 
• Any form of unwanted affection 
• Compliments that relate to physique or body development 
• Gratuitous application of sunscreen or any other topical salves, ointments etc.