Zimmerman Services

Quick Access Background Development of Child Protection in the Diocese The Purpose of Zimmerman Services Roles and Functions of Zimmerman Services Structure of Zimmerman Services Child Protection Training

Quick Access

Zimmerman Services provides child protection services for all of the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

There are three separate parts to Zimmerman Services:

(1) THE DIOCESAN CHILD PROTECTION UNIT (DCPU)

For CSO, schools, CatholicCare, parishes and Chancery, the DCPU provides the relevant services for your day to day needs.

Contact the DCPU for any:
• requests for advice or support in dealing with child protection matters,
• pre-employment checks or other employment screening (except for CSO),
• investigations of alleged child abuse by people associated with eth Diocese, and
• child protection training needs.

Contact Details:
Reception / Duty Officer: (02) 4979 1390
Fax: (02) 4940 8087
E-Mail: child.protection@mn.catholic.org.au
Postal Address: PO Box 29, Carrington NSW 2294

(2) HEALING AND SUPPORT

The Coordinator of Healing and Support works with people who have been adversely affected by child sexual assault perpetrated by members of the Diocese. This includes:
• primary victims, (those who were sexually abused), and
• secondary victims (partners, parents, siblings and the children of primary victims).

The Coordinator also works to build networks of support working with all relevant agencies particularly advocacy groups and support agencies for victims of abuse.

Contact Details:
Phone: (02) 4979 1385
Fax: (02) 4940 8087
E-Mail: healing.support@mn.catholic.org.au
Postal Address PO Box 29, Carrington NSW 2294

(3) INSIGHTS

Insights is a programme that has evolved from an identified need in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle to explore the deep, lasting effects of child sexual abuse on the faith communities within the Diocese.

Insights focuses on ‘tertiary victims’ (i.e. those members of community who have been effected by the events of the past). Insights attempts to address collective needs rather than the individual harm.

Contact Details:
Phone: (02) 4979 1384
Fax: (02) 4940 8087
E-Mail: insightsteam@mn.catholic.org.au
Postal Address PO Box 29, Carrington NSW 2294

Background

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle has had a very troubled history regarding issues of child protection and the sexual abuse of children perpetrated by persons associated with the Diocese. This history has caused harm to the victims of abuse, their families and the broader faith community.

The Diocese was not alone in struggling with issues of child abuse.

Between 1994 till 1997 the Royal Commission into NSW Police, under Justice James Wood, uncovered a litany of systemic failures across all areas of child protection in NSW. Volume 1 of the Royal Commission’s report said:

1.25: A very disturbing picture of neglect, indifference and concealment has emerged during the investigation extending to almost every aspect of the preventative, investigative and prosecution process. Serious deficiencies in the existing structures and procedures for the protection of children by those agencies and institutions responsible for their care have been highlighted, along with an appalling lack of co-ordination of effort or commitment. There was an equally disturbing picture of the breadth and nature of the criminal activity involved. These matters will be dealt with in detail in the separate Report concerning this segment.

Volumes 4-6 of the Royal Commission’s Reports became known as The Paedophile Inquiry, which remains the single most comprehensive investigation and analysis of child protection in NSW. As part of the Paedophile Inquiry churches in NSW, including the Catholic Church were assessed.

The Royal Commission into NSW Police reports are available on-line or by clicking here.

From the Paedophile Inquiry a number of sweeping reforms were enacted which reshaped the nature of child protection in NSW.

Development of Child Protection in the Diocese

The Diocesan Child Protection and Professional Conduct Unit was established in 2005 to meet changing legislative requirements and after a comprehensive review of child protection systems across all diocesan services recommended a centralised discrete unit for the management of all child protection and professional conduct matters. The unit was built on and incorporated the excellent child protection work undertaken by specialist staff who were located in Catholic Schools Office and Centacare (now known as CatholicCare)

In 2007 Zimmerman House was established in the former Josephite convent, Carrington. Zimmerman House was named in honour of diocesan Chancellor Sr Beverly Zimmerman rsj, who is well known throughout the diocese for her work and studies in Catholic Education, Church history, ecclesiology, ethics and morality.

Zimmerman House included in its mandate a commitment to walk “with survivors throughout their healing journey. We believe that healing can be achieved through a variety of therapies and strategies.” This innovative programme produced positive outcomes for many victims of past abuse. Zimmerman House was designed to stand as a place of safety and healing.

Since 2007, the Diocese’s understanding of the needs of people affected by abuse has changed. Where once people were largely isolated and there were few (if any) supports available, now there are a number of advocacy and support groups. People who have been affected by abuse don’t necessarily want a specific building; they want services that suit their needs.

Further, the combination of investigative services with healing services led to issues of conflict of interest. It was important to safeguard the integrity of the diocese’s investigative service and strengthen the independence of healing services.

The advent of Insights provided an enriched understanding into the complexities and inter-relationships between individual harm and collective hurt, as the Diocese began to explore the ongoing consequences on a communal level of historic child sexual assault that occurred in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.

In response to the changing needs, child protection and healing services have evolved into a more holistic response, collectively known as the Zimmerman Services.

The Purpose of Zimmerman Services

Zimmerman Services are a response involving all parts of the Diocese to:
• meet its moral imperative and legislative requirements to protect the children of the Diocese from abuse, and
• address the enduring legacy of historic child abuse that occurred within the Diocese.

Zimmerman Services operate under the direction of the Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle and work in accordance with a number of civil and canonical laws and guidelines, including:

Zimmerman Services work collaboratively with a number of government departments, statutory authorities, Church and community agencies and groups.

Some useful links to authorities and agencies that are of relevance include:

NSW Ombudsman

Family and Community Services - Community Services (formerly DoCS)

Commission for Children and Young People

NSW Police

Keep Them Safe (NSW child protection reform process)

Australian Catholic Bishops Conference

National Committee for Professional Standards

Anglican Diocese of Newcastle - Professional Standards

NSW Children's Guardian

Administrative Decisions Tribunal

Office of the Information Commissioner NSW

Office of the Privacy Commissioner NSW

Roles and Functions of Zimmerman Services

Zimmerman Services undertakes a number of roles to meet its civil and canonical obligations, which may be classified into three distinct functions:-

(A) PREVENTION

• Supporting Diocesan leaders and local leadership teams in schools, parishes and CatholicCare programmes to promote child protection through:
 providing professional advice on issues relating to child protection,
 supporting local services in developing ‘child safe’ practices,
 promoting the inclusion of ‘child safe’ practices in new/emerging diocesan programmes, and
 promoting role clarity, supervision and professional development for diocesan personnel.
• Recording volunteer declarations for all diocesan volunteers and processing working with children background checks for all preferred applicants for child related employment in the chancery, parishes and CatholicCare as well as applicants to be authorised carers.
• Child protection education and awareness for diocesan personnel and community members.
• Development of diocesan wide and local policies and procedures.
• Supporting individual employees with identified, elevated risk factors.

(B) RESPONSE

• Conducting internal investigations and overseeing external investigations of diocesan personnel who are alleged to have committed abuse against children.
• Conducting professional standards investigations and supporting Diocesan leaders in areas such as the resolution of conflicts and the review of the way Diocesan services operate.
• Assisting investigations conducted by external authorities, including Police, Community Services and the NSW Ombudsman.
• Risk management of diocesan personnel who are alleged to have committed abuse against children.

(C) HEALING

• Healing and support for those who were victims of sexual abuse committed by members of the Catholic Church, particularly in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
• Healing and support for those who are related to victims of sexual abuse committed by members of the Catholic Church, particularly in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle.
• Building alliances and support networks with relevant external groups, particularly advocacy and support groups of those who experienced abuse.
• Exploring and developing innovative interventions to address harm that may have been caused to specific groups, programmes, parishes and faith communities within the Diocese.

There are a number of policies and procedures related to the roles and functions of Zimmerman Services, particularly the DCPU, which may be found on:

lDiocese of Maitland-Newcastle policies and guidelines
Catholic Schools Office policies and procedures

Structure of Zimmerman Services

Zimmerman Services consist of three ‘parts’ that are separate and distinct but are mutually reliant and interact to fulfil the services’ collective purpose.

(1) THE DIOCESAN CHILD PROTECTION UNIT (DCPU)

The DCPU has the responsibility to support the Diocese meet its legislative requirements and Church based obligations in the realm of child protection. The DCPU supports parishes, Catholic Schools Office, Catholic systemic schools, CatholicCare and the Chancery.

The Manager of the DCPU is responsible for supporting the Bishop of Maitland-Newcastle in fulfilling his obligations as Head of Agency, imposed by Part 3A of the Ombudsman Act 1974 and ensuring the Diocese fulfils its obligations under other civil and canonical law.

The Manager of the DCPU is delegated the ‘day to day’ responsibilities of the Head of Agency.

The DCPU undertakes preventative and response functions.

Contact Details:
Reception / Duty Officer: (02) 4979 1390
Fax: (02) 4940 8087
E-Mail : child.protection@mn.catholic.org.au
Postal Address PO Box 29, Carrington NSW 2294

Contact Details for DCPU staff:
Brenda Moloney Administrative Officer (02) 4979 1390 brenda.moloney@mn.catholic.org.au
David Muxlow Investigator (02) 4979 1386 david.muxlow@mn.catholic.org.au
Lisa Wollschlager Investigator (02) 4979 1388 lisa.wollschlager@mn.catholic.org.au
Zoë Trypas Investigator (02) 4979 1387 zoe.trypas@mn.catholic.org.au
Sean Tynan Manager (02) 4979 1383 sean.tynan@mn.catholic.org.au

(2) HEALING AND SUPPORT

The Coordinator of Healing and Support is the operational expression of the Diocese’s pastoral response to those who have been adversely affected by historic instances of child sexual assault perpetrated by members of the Diocese. This includes:
• primary victims, (those who were sexually abused), and
• secondary victims (partners, parents, siblings and the children of primary victims).

The Coordinator of Healing and Support works directly with individuals to support and promote their personal and unique journey towards healing.

The Coordinator also works with groups; building networks of support within the Diocese, the wider Catholic Church, other denominations and faith based organisations and the wider community. It is particularly important for the Coordinator to build close, collaborative working relationships with victim advocacy groups and support groups.

The Coordinator of Healing and Support undertakes both preventative and healing functions.

Contact Details:
Phone: (02) 4979 1385
Fax: (02) 4940 8087
E-Mail: healing.support@mn.catholic.org.au
Postal Address PO Box 29, Carrington NSW 2294

Contact Details for Healing and Support staff:
Maureen O’Hearn Coordinator (02) 4979 1385 maureen.o'hearn@mn.catholic.org.au

(3) Insights

Insights is a programme that has evolved from an identified need in the Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle to explore the deep, lasting effects of child sexual abuse on the faith communities within the Diocese.

Insights focuses on ‘tertiary victims’ (i.e. those members of schools, parishes and communities whose faith, sense of belonging or well being has been harmed by the events of the past and what the Church did or did not do). Insights attempts to address collective needs rather than the individual harm.

Insights works on a collaborative model and its stated intention is:

“The courage to listen to ourselves, each other and the Spirit in response to the issue of sexual abuse in our community in the hope of addressing together our emerging needs.”

Insights is guided by a team consisting of local people with a range of gifts. The Coordinator of Healing and Support is part of the Insights Team. A percentage of the Coordinator’s work time is used to help coordinate the Insights initiative as a key healing service.

Insights undertake primarily healing functions.

Contact Details:
Phone: (02) 4979 1384
Fax: (02) 4940 8087
E-Mail: insightsteam@mn.catholic.org.au
Postal Address PO Box 29, Carrington NSW 2294

Contact Details for Healing and Support staff:
Fr Geoff Mulhearn Contact Person (02) 4979 1385 geoff.mulhearn@mn.catholic.org.au

Child Protection Training

The Diocese of Maitland-Newcastle has a commitment to all persons associated with the Diocese undertaking an appropriate level of child protection training.

Except in extraordinary circumstances, there are no additional costs incurred for the provision of training to persons or groups associated with the Diocese.

The Diocesan Child Protection Unit offers a range of training options related to child protection and professional standards. Topics include:
• NSW child protection legislative framework
• Recognising the indicators of abuse and neglect
• What constitutes ‘risk of significant harm’
• Pre-employment screening for child-related employment
• Exchange of information in the child protection context
• Reportable conduct investigations
• Protective Behaviours
• Professional boundaries and safe practices

CHILD PROTECTION INFORMATION BOOK

The principle written guide for managing child protection issues for persons associated with the Diocese is the Child Protection Information Handbook:

Introduction to Child Protection Information Booklet

CHILD PROTECTION TRAINING CALENDAR

There is a cycle of child protection training which is offered throughout the year, across the Diocese.
The training calendar for 2012 is: