TO REPORT ABUSE
Church Personnel/Volunteers must follow the policies of the Diocese of Paterson in handling allegations of sexual abuse and reporting such allegations. The policy includes our obligations as citizens of New Jersey, our Memorandum of Understanding with the Attorney General and the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. All allegations of child abuse of minors shall be reported immediately and without consultation with any supervisor, pastor or administrator to the New Jersey Protection and Premanency (CP&P) (CP&P was formerly the Division of Youth and Family Services, DYFS) and the County prosecutor. Confidentiality does not apply to cases of child abuse (physical, sexual or emotional).
IF YOU SUSPECT A CHILD IS IN IMMINENT DANGER FROM ABUSE,
PLEASE CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY.
If you receive information from any source that gives you reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect, IMMEDIATELY report that suspicion to the New Jersey Protection and Premanency (CP&P) CP&P Hotline: 1-877-652-2873.
Next, contact the appropriate county prosecutor. County prosecutor contact numbers are as follows:
Finally, notify our Diocesan Attorney, Ken Mullaney:
973-777-8818, ext. 240
or [email protected].
“Immediately” in the above paragraphs means that it must be done without any delay whatsoever. This will allow you to follow the law and avoid the legal consequences of a delay in reporting. We have to go the extra mile to protect all children. The obligation to report abuse is not subject to the consent of the victim, parent, legal guardian, or person aware of the abuse.
Please Note: The Diocese does not investigate sexual abuse allegations. Investigation is the job of law enforcement, as outlined above. The Diocese does have a role in helping victims of sexual abuse.
Victims may contact one of the Diocesan Response Officers:
The Diocese also has a professional Victim Assistance Coordinator:
St. Elizabeth’s contact:
Dick Wertz, Local Youth Protection Coordinator
Phone: 973-927-7077
Email: [email protected]