PROVIDENCE — In addition to abiiding by the national standards set by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB), each diocese is also encouraged to develop its own diocesan regulations to maintain compliance with established child and youth protection standards.
In this regard, the Diocese of Providence has been a trailblazer, establishing the Diocesan Advisory Board for the Protection of Children and Young People, the organization responsible for creating, revising and enforcing these regulations, almost a decade before similar national standards were established by the USCCB.
“The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People was established by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002, and since that time all dioceses in the country are mandated to provide pastoral outreach and support to those individuals who have been hurt by priests in the past,” explained Michael D. Hansen, Ph.D., the director of the Office of Outreach and Prevention.
“In our own diocese, those efforts began in 1993, roughly nine years prior to the establishment of the charter.”
Dr. Hansen said that the impetus for the local diocesan regulations came under Bishop Louis Gelineau in response to claims of clerical abuse.
The diocese’s initiatives to create a specific, official, diocese-wide set of standards concerning clerical sex abuse were some of the first in the country.
“That strong commitment [to protecting the children of this diocese] continued on the part of the late Bishop Robert E. Mulvee and then followed with Bishop Thomas J. Tobin, now-Archbishop Richard G. Henning, and current Bishop Bruce A. Lewandowski, C.Ss.R.,” Dr. Hansen continued.
Maj. Kevin O’Brien, a 23-year veteran and former Detective Commander of the Rhode Island State Police, joined the diocesan Office of Compliance as director in 2015, after retiring from the force.
Currently serving as co-director, along with Lt. Col. Robert A. Creamer, MBA, CFE, who recently retired from the State Police after serving more than 29 years, O’Brien spoke with Rhode Island Catholic about the diocese’s ardent commitment to protecting children and assisting those who claim to be the victims of abuse by gathering the facts and circumstances and working with law enforcement in the pursuit of justice.
“The leadership of the diocese gave the director [of Compliance] carte blanche to investigate fully, objectively and without any influence or interference whatsoever from anyone at the diocese,” O’Brien stated.
O’Brien noted that the experiences he gained conducting criminal investigations while serving with the State Police have carried over into his responsibilities of keeping the Diocese of Providence safe.
“Just as communication, education, vigilance and awareness were key components of public safety, so too are they part of our child protection protocol,” O’Brien said, going on to report that “the procedures developed and utilized by the diocese were in keeping with the high standards expected by the families of the Diocese of Providence.”
Creamer said his own experience working closely with compliance officials during his tenure with the Rhode Island State Police provided him with a deep appreciation for the importance of structured oversight and victim-centered investigations.
“Throughout my career with the State Police, I worked with the Office of Compliance and witnessed firsthand the critical efforts undertaken to ensure adherence to safe environment policies designed to protect children,” Creamer said.
“I also saw the compassion and empathy extended to victims during investigations. That balance, holding firm to standards while treating individuals with dignity and care, is essential. I am committed to continuing that work here in support of the Diocese’s mission to keep children safe and assist those who have been harmed.”
“I would encourage anyone who wishes to report sexual abuse to contact the RI State Police Major Crimes Unit, their local police department, the RIAG’s office and/or me. Every allegation is reported to law enforcement and the RIAG’s office for investigation. It will also be investigated internally by my office,” O’Brien said.
After conducting an interview with a person who reports having been abused, the Office of Compliance will then report the incident to law enforcement as well as to the Attorney General as per diocesan protocol.
The Office of Compliance will also reach out to Dr. Hansen, who will arrange to have an interview with the person.
“In the context of that meeting, I would listen to what they wanted to share about their experience and provide attentive and compassionate listening and support, and then discern, along with the individual, in what ways could we as a diocese be helpful to them with their healing process,” Dr. Hansen said.
As the investigation continues, the diocese will also reach out to the individual with an official letter of apology.
Further, Dr. Hansen said that if the individual by this point has not already begun to undergo counseling or therapy or the process of searching for a therapist or counselor, the diocese will assist in the process of finding a suitable therapist covered by the victim’s private insurance, and will cover any expenses that the individual may incur in undergoing therapy.
“The diocese in particular, and the Church in the United States in general, acknowledges that there were many people who were hurt by sex abuse in the past, and we have made a commitment to help them with their healing process as much as we can,” Dr. Hansen noted.
“The Diocese has had and will continue to have strong policies and procedures in place to make sure that our kids are as safe as possible when participating in parish, school or diocesan activities,” O’Brien added.
“Child safety is an ongoing commitment,” he continued “and we continually seek ways to improve our program.”
