Victims Assistance
Victims Assistance Coordinator
On October 7, 2002 the Diocese of Camden named Barbara Ann Gondek its Victims Assistance Coordinator to provide a comprehensive program of outreach to victims of sexual abuse by clergy and other church personnel of the diocese. In accord with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People adopted by the U.S. bishops, Ms. Gondek coordinates the diocese’s outreach to abuse victims/survivors. This includes the provision of counseling, spiritual assistance, and other support services.
Among these efforts are counseling/assistance referrals and the long-standing policy of the Diocese of Camden to pay for treatment and professional counseling for anyone who claims to have been abused by a priest or employee. Ms. Gondek also facilitates meetings between victims and Bishop Joseph Galante as part of the diocese's program of pastoral outreach. Ms. Gondek's work is overseen by a Clinical Advisory Panel to ensure that the needs of victims are being met.
Clinical Advisory Panel
It has been the policy of the Diocese of Camden for nearly 20 years to pay for treatment and professional counseling for anyone who claims to have been abused by one of its priests or employees. This has always been offered without any pre-conditions. The diocese is provided with the credentials of the counselor, an initial diagnosis and prognosis, as well as periodic updates as to the course of the treatment.
This program is overseen by the diocese's Clinical Advisory Panel which will conduct periodic assessments to ensure that the person seeking treatment is in the hands of a competent professional who has undertaken a course of treatment that is addressing the individual's needs and is focused on the effects of sexual abuse.
Victims Pastoral Outreach
During the homily at his Mass of Installation on April 30, 2004 Most Reverend Joseph A. Galante, Bishop of Camden, said:We have heard of the [priests] who have committed crimes, sins, unspeakable actions that destroyed trust, destroyed lives, both emotionally and spiritually.
We have heard of them and I, for one--despite the inadequacy of words of sorrow or apology--want to express, on my part, my sorrow, my apology to those victim survivors and their families who have been so violated by men they trusted.
