The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) requires from all dioceses in the United States to undergo yearly audits to verify their compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
These audits are undertaken by StoneBridge Business Partners, which began Charter audits for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops since 2011.
StoneBridge also issues the annual report which includes statistical data gathered by the Georgetown University-based Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA).
From the annual audits, the USCCB can say that the Catholic Church in the United States:
- Administered safe environment training and background checks for clergy and adults who work or volunteer with
children.- 98.7% of priests, 96.6% of educators, and 97.1% of volunteers are among those who received background checks at the time of the audit, with the rest scheduled for future evaluations.
- 99.1% of priests, 98.0% of educators, and 96.4% of volunteers received safe environment training.
- Educated children on how to identify and report abuse.
- 94.0% or 4.5 million children received safe environment training in parishes and schools.
- Provided outreach and support to victims/survivors of abuse.
- Close to 250 newly identified victims/survivors and members of their families were offered outreach and healing, and ongoing support was provided to 1,510 victims/survivors.
For additional information about the compliance audits, please visit the USCCB Office of Child and Youth Protection web site.
Audit Results
There was no audit necessary in 2008 or 2006.
2024 Participation Letter
Last Updated: November 11, 2024
2024 Compliance Letter
Last Updated: June 25, 2024
2023 Participation letter
Last Updated: April 17, 2024
2022 Participation letter
Last Updated: January 10, 2023
2021 Audit Results
Last Updated: December 15, 2021
2020 Audit Results
Last Updated: December 7, 2020
2019 Audit Results
Last Updated: December 9, 2019
2018 Audit Results
Last Updated: December 4, 2018
2017 Audit Results
Last Updated: September 12, 2018
2016 Audit Results
Last Updated: December 3, 2017
2015 Audit Results
Last Updated: July 3, 2016
2014 Audit Results
Last Updated: July 31, 2015
2013 Audit Results
Last Updated: July 31, 2014
2012 Audit Results
Last Updated: July 9, 2013
2011 Audit Results
Last Updated: July 7, 2012
2010 Audit Results
Last Updated: July 9, 2011
2009 Audit Results
Last Updated: July 9, 2010
2007 Audit Results
Last Updated: July 7, 2008
2005 Audit Results
Last Updated: July 9, 2006
2004 Audit Results
Last Updated: July 9, 2005
2003 Audit Results
Last Updated: July 9, 2004