With a “code of conduct” The Archdiocese of Berlin wants to prevent sexualized violence for its employees. The service instructions published in the new Official Journal (April issue) for priests, deacons, religious and other employees, among others, prescribe binding rules for dealing with children and young people as well as adults in need of protection.
For example, employees may not oblige the person under protection to keep conversations and other contacts secret. This also applies to confession, because the secret of confession applies only to the priest. Face-to-face meetings with wards may only take place in rooms that are accessible or visible from the outside at any time.
Pastoral workers are expressly obliged to respect the privacy and personal limits of those under protection and to deal responsibly with closeness and distance. They may only use social networks, messenger services and e-mails for communication purposes and goals of a church group.
Separate overnight stay
Other requirements relate to trips, such as the church community. The wards and accompanying persons must spend the night separately. Exceptions are only permitted with the prior consent of the legal guardian. In addition, employees may only enter the sleeping and sanitary rooms of those in custody after prior notification.
Private gifts or payments of money from employees to persons under protection are not permitted, occasion-related courtesies only if they are made transparent in the respective group. Photo and video recordings are only permitted if they and their legal guardians agree to it.
In addition, concerns and complaints from persons in charge of protection must be taken seriously and discussed in the responsible team of employees. Then the wards must receive “appreciative feedback” about it. In the event of a rule violation, employees must make it transparent in their respective team. Failure to comply with the transparency obligation and repeated or serious violations may result in consequences under labor law. (KNA)
