Building a response webpage? Here's a checklist

Consider using this checklist for your diocese,s response webpage

Elements for a comprehensive diocesan response webpage

• The diocese’s response is primarily organized and accessible from one place online, such as a separate website or section of the diocesan website 
• Be easy to find from the home page
• Site is updated regularly
• How to report abuse, clearly identifying that civil authorities should be contacted immediately
• How to access victim assistance coordinator
• Pastoral resources and outreach for victims/survivors
• Summary of the child protection efforts 
• Statement and/or video from the bishop conveying sorrow to victims/survivors and commitment to the protection of children
• Diocesan policy against abuse in compliance with the Charter and other relevant policies including a stated zero-tolerance policy for abuse
• Code of Conduct for clergy, employees and volunteers
• Diocesan report on how the diocese has handled abuse
• What happens when abuse is reported? What is the process the diocese uses to investigate?
• List of clergy with credible allegations of abuse, including status of each case/clergy member
• FAQs and definition of terms
• How the diocesan review board works
• Audit reports from the Charter, as well as statistics about how clergy, staff and volunteers are trained
• Financial reports, such as the cost of abuse, care for victims and litigation
• Funds or compensation program details for victims/survivors
• Frequency and scope of background checks for clergy, lay professional staff and volunteers
• Explanation of the screening of seminarian candidates and formation of seminarians
• Parish pastoral resources such as a “parish crisis response kit.”
• Links to other websites, columnists, videos and content on abuse, hope and healing
• Prayer resources
• Papal encyclicals and letters.
• USCCB resources
• Links to legal or public documents related to action taken against the diocese
• Available in English and Spanish, other relevant languages for the diocese