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The Safe Environment Department of the Diocese of Green Bay strives to assist parishes, schools, families, and individuals to create safe and healthy environments for children, youth and individuals at risk in all aspects of their lives in accordance with the “Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People” and diocesan policy. Safe Environment polices and resources are available below.
Diocesan Code of Pastoral Conduct for Volunteers (English)
Diocesan Code of Pastoral Conduct for Volunteers (Spanish)
Digital Communications Policy (English)
Digital Communications Policy (Spanish)
This board is to advise the diocesan/eparchial bishop in his assessment of allegations of sexual abuse of minors and in his determination of a cleric’s suitability for ministry. It is regularly to review diocesan/eparchial policies and procedures for dealing with sexual abuse of minors.
Learn more about the Independent Review Board
Courtney Coopman
Diocesan Assistance Coordinator (Safe Environment)
Phone: 920-272-8174
Caitlyn Cheslock
Safe Environment Coordinator
Phone: 920-272-8198
VIRTUS LOSEC Administrator Guide 2023
Youth Employee Code of Conduct Agreement Form 2023
Youth Volunteers under 18 2023
Youth under 18 Volunteer Application 2023
Youth Volunteer Code of Conduct Agreement Form 2023
Contact Diocesan Representatives through phone
or email.
If the person was abused as a minor but is now an adult, please contact any of the following individuals:
Courtney Coopman, Victim Assistance Coordinator/Diocesan
Assistance Coordinator
920-272-8174 or 1-877-270-8174
Send an Email to the Office of Safe Environment.
We always encourage you to report the incident to local civil authorities.
File a Report through the Awareity Incident
Reporting System
Awareity is a comprehensive platform for reporting, tracking, and documenting incidents and concerns, making it simple and confidential to share red flag behaviors such as:
The goal of Awareity is prevention and to help identify red flags and warning signs before an incident occurs or escalates.
PLEASE NOTE: This is not an emergency reporting system. If this is an urgent matter, please immediately dial 911.
You are NOT alone
It is never your fault
Healing is possible
To report an allegation of abuse or mishandling of allegations of sexual abuse by a bishop:
Visit the Catholic Bishop Abuse Report Service website: reportbishopabuse.org
The purpose of the Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting (CBAR) service is to provide a third-party service for gathering and relaying to appropriate Church authorities reports of the following kinds of misconduct:
A U.S. Catholic bishop who has:
Yes. The Diocese of Green Bay takes very seriously any and all credible complaints of sexual misconduct by members of the clergy, religious and lay staff of the Diocese. We encourage anyone with knowledge of an act of sexual misconduct to inform the Diocese immediately so that we can take appropriate action to protect others and provide support to victims of sexual abuse.
The Diocese is concerned about the well-being of those who have suffered abuse, and has designated a Victim Assistance Coordinator to help anyone who reports that he or she has been abused.
Yes. The Diocese strongly encourages any individual with an allegation to contact the civil authorities in the county where the incident(s) occurred. Even though the Diocese is providing information concerning abuse allegations to the civil authorities, it is important that they hear directly from the individual making the allegation.
Every effort is made to assure that all persons ministering in the Diocese are aware of and will abide by the policies prohibiting sexual harassment, exploitation or abuse, and of the procedures for dealing with incidents of sexual misconduct. All priests, deacons, other ministers, and employees (who may or may not have contact with children, young people and individuals at risk) and adult volunteers who have contact with children, young people and individuals at risk as part of their volunteer duties are required to attend a VIRTUS® Protecting Godʼs Children Adult Awareness Session and complete an approved criminal background check.
Overview of the steps we have taken from 1973 to the present to prevent children and youth from being sexually abused by clergy.
Summary of Work (Updated October 2024)
The Green Bay Diocese is committed to transparent, open communications with its members and the public, within the confines of respect for the privacy and the reputation of the individuals involved. This is especially so with regard to assisting and supporting parish communities directly affected by ministerial misconduct involving minors.