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Recently the North Fairfax Region of the Diocese of Virginia, which Holy Comforter is a member of, has become aware that there was a past member of St. Timothy’s in Herndon who pled guilty to the charge of criminal offense of solicitation for sex of a minor. This person also was a part of the regional mission trips involving youth to Dungannon, VA and St. Paul, VA. There have been no allegations of misconduct by anyone either at the former parish nor of those on the prior mission trips. Two Holy Comforter youth participated in the 2018 mission trip, but on no prior trips or trips since.
We are grateful that thus far there has been no incident that we know of that resulted in any kind of injury—physical, sexual, or psychological. It makes us vigilant of the need for the ongoing training of sexual misconduct prevention. When there is strong communal awareness of the risks and best practices and training for prevention, predators aren’t given the opportunity to cause harm.
At Holy Comforter, we require all those in leadership and/or who regularly engage with youth, children, or vulnerable adult populations to be trained in best prevention practices. The best of these is the “rule of three” where an adult and a child are not left alone in one-on-one situations; and if a one-on-one meeting is needed, in the case of a mentor relationship, these take place in public settings and with the consent and knowledge of parents.
All of our clergy have extensive background checks prior to every move, all staff members are subject to background checks at hire, and all preschool teachers have local police record checks.
Every community is vulnerable, no community is exempt, but our communal awareness and training, and our holding all perpetrators accountable to the law are critical elements of best and safe practices.
Attached is a statement issued by Bishop Mark Stevenson.
With much care for our communal wellbeing,
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