Faith’s Law- Information

 It is understood and expected that the work of the Catholic Church, its agencies and institutions, has characteristics that differentiate it from the work of other secular and non-Catholic agencies and institutions as a specifically religious institution performing a religious function and mission.  Employees working in a Catholic school agree to work diligently to support and strengthen the Catholic Church and its value system. By word and example Catholic school employees support all the official religious teachings of the Catholic Church throughout their personal and professional lives. Employees agree to play a substantial role in conveying the Catholic Church’s message and carrying out its mission.

Faith‘s Law aims to address the responsibilities of schools and school employees to prevent and appropriately respond to reports of student sexual assault and abuse. Faith‘s Law requires Illinois schools to provide training on sexual abuse prevention, appropriate relationships between school personnel and students, and how to respond to a student’s report of sexual abuse or misconduct. It also expands legal protections for reporters of abuse or misconduct.   Under the law, schools are also required to implement comprehensive policies and procedures to prevent sexual abuse/misconduct and respond promptly and effectively to reports of such conduct. Under Faith‘s Law, Illinois schools must ensure that all students are aware of how to report incidents of sexual abuse or misconduct, anonymously if desired, and that they will not be retaliated against for doing so. Faith’s Law Resources are available for ready reference.  Faith’s Law compliance is in addition to the annual completion of sexual harassment prevention training and continued training through Virtus.