PENNSYLVANIA
WJAC

by Ron Musselman
Monday, March 6th 2017

JOHNSTOWN – The Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown announced sweeping changes Monday aimed at protecting children from sexual abuse and ensuring that all allegations are immediately reported to law enforcement.

The diocese also will provide sexual abuse victims with access to counseling and support services.

“One case of sexual abuse is too many,” Bishop Mark L. Bartchak said during an afternoon news conference. “We need to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

The new reforms include:

• The creation of an independent, multidisciplinary oversight board that will include a former U.S. attorney and a Lutheran clergyman;
• The retention of an outside expert to develop a new, comprehensive child abuse prevention program;
• A reporting protocol that requires the diocese to report allegations of child sexual abuse to law enforcement within 12 hours after receipt;
• Taking immediate…