Sexual Abuse & Sexual Misconduct

Reporting Procedures in the Diocese of Norwich

Sexual Misconduct

It is contrary to the policy of the Diocese of Norwich for any priest, religious, or lay person, either employed by, volunteering for, or otherwise engaged in ministry in the Diocese, to engage in sexual conduct which is unlawful or contrary to the moral teachings of the Roman Catholic Church.

To enforce this policy and to prevent future incidents, we need the help of victims, their families and friends, and other concerned people to tell us when such misconduct may have occurred, even though it is sometimes not easy to come forward with allegations.

Getting Help

It is important that those affected by sexual misconduct obtain help immediately. We encourage victims and their families to utilize the services of an experienced victims’ service agency staffed with personnel who can assist them and who can also assist victims and families wishing to make a complaint against diocesan personnel. Victims and families may also wish to seek the assistance of experienced mental health professionals.

To assist those affected by sexual misconduct by an employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Norwich, the Diocese makes available the services of the Assistance Coordinator. This person helps those victims and families find the assistance they need for healing. The Assistance Coordinator can be contacted by calling the diocesan reporting line listed below.

Reporting

If you know of an emergency situation in which abuse or assault is occurring or has just occurred, call the police immediately.

To report allegations of sexual misconduct involving a minor under age eighteen and an employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Norwich, or its parishes, schools, or institutions, call the DCF Hotline at 1-800-842-2288 and then call the reporting line of the Office of Internal Affairs at 1-800-624-7407 or (860) 889-4455.

To report allegations of criminal or illegal sexual misconduct involving an adult and an employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Norwich, or its parishes, schools, or institutions, call the police and then call the reporting line of the Office of Internal Affairs.

To report allegations of sexual misconduct that are not illegal and involve an adult and an employee or volunteer of the Diocese of Norwich, or its parishes, schools, or institutions, call the reporting line of the Office of Internal Affairs.

To file a written complaint alleging sexual misconduct against an employee, minister, or volunteer of, or in, the Diocese of Norwich, call the reporting line of the Office of Internal Affairs.

After you call the diocesan reporting line, you will be sent information on the diocesan procedures and a complaint form for you to complete, sign, and return to the Office of Internal Affairs. If you are not able to file a written incident report form, the Office of Internal Affairs will help you file a written report. No information regarding the incident will be sought or received on the telephone.

If you are upset, confused, or in immediate need of help, please contact a crisis hotline immediately.

If you believe that there is a current danger to other people, call the State or local police.

Diocesan Procedures

When your complaint is received, the Office of Internal Affairs, if criminal behavior is alleged, will send the matter to the Connecticut Department of Children and Families (DCF) and/or to the State’s Attorney in the jurisdiction where the incident occurred. If the matter appears to be non-criminal, the Office of Internal Affairs will conduct an investigation. This means that the person making the complaint may be questioned further about it. It also means that the person against whom the complaint is being made will be made aware of the allegation and questioned about it.

The results of every investigation will be brought to the Diocesan Review Board and to the Bishop. If there appears to be some substance to the allegation, the worker or volunteer against whom the complaint was made will be removed from ministry and/or diocesan employment, and the Assistance Coordinator of the Diocese will work with victims to help them obtain counseling and other professional help.

If complainants are dissatisfied with the functioning of the Diocesan Review Board, they may file a complaint with the Policy Review Board. The Policy Review Board reviews and evaluates the functioning of the Office of Internal Affairs and the Diocesan Review Board and makes recommendations for changes in policy. At each point in the procedures, every attempt will be made to respect the privacy of the parties involved but this cannot always be assured.

DCF Hotline:

1-800-842-2288

Reporting Line of the

Diocese of Norwich:

1-800-624-7407

(860) 889-4455