Whether it be victims, survivors, family members, or communities of faithful, all individuals may come forward to report a suspected abuse with mixed feelings: fear, anger, anxiety, hopes for justice, trust or mistrust. Often they do not know what to do, which steps to take, nor to whom they should talk.
That is why the systems available for these individuals must ensure that effective, professional and prompt processes are in place for those who report a suspected abuse.
Some services for handling reports of allegations offer the services of a “victim assistance coordinator.” A victim assistance coordinator is someone who works closely with victims of crimes during the course of the justice process, offering information regarding various aspects of the assistance, including but not limited to legal support and recommendations of other services available for the individual and for their family (e.g. psychotherapy and medical assistance).
This section offers examples of public available services of reporting systems (victims assistance coordinators, offices and hotlines) established by local Churches and other entities, with instructions regarding the specific steps to be taken within the following Countries:
Africa #
The Americas #
USA
United States Catholic Conference Bishops (USCCB)
Victims Assistance Coordinator Interview Series, The Catholic Project
Archdiocese of Chicago
Archdiocese of Baltimore (USA)
Archdiocese of Washington (USA)
Archdiocese of Los Angeles (USA)
Diocese of San José (Califonia)
Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse (NY)
Diocese of Arlington (Virginia)
Diocese of Colorado Spring (Colorado)
Diocese of Providence (Rhode Island)
Diocese of Sacramento (California)
Diocese of Worcester (Maryland)
Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux (Luoisiana)
Diocese of Camden (New Jersey)
Diocese of Grand Rapids (Michigan)
Diocese of Lafayette (Louisiana)
Diocese of Bismark (North Dakota)
CANADA
Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops (CCCB)
MEXICO
Archdiocese of Mexico (Mexico)
Asia #
Europe #
Scottish Catholic Safeguarding Service, Scotland
Lutter Contre la Pédophilie, France
National Board for Safeguarding Children in the Catholic Church in Ireland, Ireland
Towards Healing, Ireland
Towards Peace, Ireland
The Catholic Church in England and Wales, England and Wales
Ignatianum Center for Child Protection, Poland
Regional Consultation Center for People Wounded in the Church, Poland
Saint Joseph Foundation of the Polish Bishop’s Conference, Poland
Wounded in the Church, Poland
Oceania #
Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd, Australia
New Zealand Catholic Bishops Conference (NZBC), New Zealand
