Diocese of Youngstown Appoints Two to Safe Environment Program

WFMJ
September 7, 2016

http://www.wfmj.com/story/33036235/diocese-of-youngstown-appoints-two-to-safe-environment-program

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio -

The Diocese of Youngstown is expanding a program to ensure that children are safe in Catholic facilities.

The Diocese says they'll expand on their safe environment program in three ways: implementing the VIRTUS program, appointing a Victim Assistance Coordinator and appointing a Coordinator of Safe Environment Program.

VIRTUS is an internationally recognized program to protect children and vulnerable adults, according to the Diocese.

Retired Youngstown Police Department Detective Sergeant Delphine Baldwin-Casey was appointed as the Victim Assistance Coordinator.

As Victim Assistance Coordinator, Baldwin-Casey is the first point of contact for those who claim to have been sexually abused by clergy, religious, church personnel or volunteers.

A 31-year veteran of YPD, Baldwin-Casey is a graduate of Campbell Memorial High School, a graduate of the Ohio Peace Officers Training Academy and received her Associate of Applied Science degree in criminal justice from Youngstown State University.

Baldwin-Casey retired in 2010 and serves as an instructor at the YSU Police Academy, as a Mahoning County Reserve Deputy, and as an Ohio Peace Officer Instructor for crisis intervention, domestic violence and culture diversity.

Baldwin-Casey also received special training in the Ohio protocol for the treatment of adult sexual assault, interviewing the victim, victimology, sexual assault first responder, identifying sex offenders, non stranger sexual assaults and sexual predator, abuse crimes that affect victims and the church, domestic violence and the religious community and empowering victims.

Monsignor John Zuraw, Chancellor of the Diocese, was appointed as Coordinator of the Safe Environment Program.

As the Safe Environment Coordinator, Msgr. Zuraw, who holds a degree in canon law, will ensure accountability on the Diocesan level for the implementation of the VIRTUS program and for the compliance of the Essential Norms as called for in the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.

Baldwin-Casey and Zuraw's appointments were effective Tuesday.

The Diocese asks those who feel they have been a victim of child abuse by a priest, deacon, seminarian, religious, including those in formation, diocesan employee or volunteer, and persons who have reason to suspect that someone they know has been a victim, should call Baldwin-Casey at 330-718-1388.10.09.2016