Protecting God’s Children:
Sexual Abuse Policies, Training and Resources
Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service
The website reportbishopabuse.org and phone number (800) 276-1562 have been established 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.
If you have any other kind of complaint about a bishop—such as parish assignments, church closings, or homily contents—please address those directly to the diocese of the bishop. Sexual abuse by a priest, deacon or a staff member, or volunteer of the Church should be reported to the Victim Assistance Coordinator in your diocese or Archdiocese. (In the Archdiocese of Louisville, the Victim Assistance Coordinator is Martine Siegel at victimassistance@archlou.org.)
If you are the victim of sexual abuse (or any other crime), please contact local law enforcement.
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USCCB
Please go here for a web site from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Its aim is to:
- Present the Church’s commitment to prevention, protection and accountability in creating a safe environment for all.
- Conquer the evils of clergy sexual abuse and hold all individuals accountable, no matter what their rank.
- Explain additional reforms, building upon the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, and in union with Pope Francis’s Motu Proprio, through which the American Catholic Church stands united against the scourge of sexual abuse as she continues on a path of reconciliation and healing.
Click here to read Restoring Trust: Report on Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Louisville (published February 8, 2019) >
Introduction
No child or adult should ever experience abuse by anyone, especially a church minister. We all have the right to be treated with dignity and to expect our church to reflect the goodness of God in all of its dealings.
We hope that this information is helpful to all in our communities who are working to prevent and respond to childhood sexual abuse. We have tried to be as clear as possible about our assistance to victims, reporting procedures, and education and prevention efforts. Please let us know if you need further assistance or information by calling or emailing our victim assistance coordinator, Ms. Martine Siegel, at 502/636-1044; victimassistance@archlou.org or the Pastoral Center at 502/585-3291.
We must heed God’s call to care for the most vulnerable among us and to continue our efforts toward wholeness and health in dealing with sexual abuse.
Click here to read the Report to the Catholic People (published in The Record Oct. 18, 2018) >
