Protecting Children
Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People
Essential Norms for Diocesan/ Eparchial Policies Dealing with Allegations of
Sexual Abuse of Minors by Priests or Deacons
A Statement of Episcopal Commitment
● Revised June 2018 ●
United States Conference of Catholic Bishops
How to Report Suspected Abuse
If anyone has reason to believe or suspect there is or has been abuse of a minor by an adult, those suspicions or allegations are to be reported first to civil authorities (listed below). Furthermore, if there is reason to believe there has been abuse of a minor by clergy, employees, or volunteers at Catholic schools, parish religious education programs, or other church-related events, those suspicions or allegations are to be reported first to civil authorities and then to the Archdiocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator, unless the report involves the Archbishop himself.
The Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service has been established and was activated in March 2020 to receive reports of sexual abuse and related misconduct by bishops, and to relay those reports to proper Church authorities for investigation. Where a report includes a crime, such as the sexual abuse of a minor, it will also be reported to civil authorities. Otherwise, reports will be kept confidential. Reporting may be made at ReportBishopAbuse.org or 800-276-1562.
Rocio Rodriguez, LMFT, Victim Assistance Coordinator
Phone: 415-614-5506
rodriguezr@sfarch.org
Every allegation will be treated seriously and immediate steps taken to protect the alleged abuse survivor(s). These actions will be taken discreetly so as to protect the rights of both the abuse survivor and the alleged abuser.
State law requires people in certain positions to make such reports. These people are referred to as “Mandatory Reporters”. All other adults, called “Ethical Reporters” should also report suspected abuse. Investigation following the report should be left to duly appointed professionals.
Instructions for Reporting Abuse
Cases of alleged abuse in which the abuser and the abuse survivor are of the same household are to be reported to Child Protective Services (CPS), while cases in which the alleged abuse survivor and the accused do not share a household should be reported to law enforcement authorities (sheriff’s department or local police).
