FAIRBANKS -- A child safety investigator for the Roman Catholic Church is visiting Alaska to make sure churches are in compliance with safety policies and procedure designed to prevent sex abuse.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports that Catholic churches are now required to submit detailed audits annually affirming they are in compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People approved by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops in 2002.

The visiting investigator, Teresa Kettlekamp, has an extensive background in law enforcement.

She says the charter's guidelines include training for all clergy, employees and volunteers to recognize the behavior of sex offenders and what to do about it.