|
|
|
|
How to Report: Questions & Answers
Reportando una Alegación
de Abuso Sexual Infantil Dentro de la Diócesis de Bridgeport
|
Am I required to report suspected
sexual abuse or other abuse of a minor?
The answer is YES! Any personnel of the Diocese who have actual
knowledge of or have reasonable cause to suspect misconduct against
a minor by any personnel of the Diocese must report that information
immediately.
Who do I report to?
Any personnel of the Diocese of Bridgeport who have actual knowledge
of or have reasonable cause to suspect misconduct against a minor
by any personnel of the Diocese must report that information immediately
to:
Ms. Erin Neil, L.C.S.W., Director
of Safe Environments
(203) 650-3265
If you are a mandated reporter, you must also directly report any
incident of sexual abuse of a minor to:
The State of Connecticut Child Abuse
and Neglect Hotline
(800) 842-2288
Anyone can make a report to The State of Connecticut Child Abuse
and Neglect Hotline. As an employee or volunteer, you should also
report any incident involving sexual abuse of a minor to your immediate
supervisor.
Any allegations of sexual harassment involving an adult member of
the Diocese of Bridgeport should be directed to:
Louise Stewart-Spagnuolo, Director
of Human Resources
(203) 416-1405
E-Mail: lsspagnuolo@diobpt.org
What if I am unsure? What if I don't
know?
When in doubt, REPORT!!!
Other Important Contact Information
Mandated Reporters are also obligated to report directly to D.C.F.
or to the Police. This document is in addition to mandated reporting
guidelines.
For any questions or concerns, you may also contact:
Ms. Erin Neil, L.C.S.W.
Director, Office of Safe Environments
(203) 416-1406
E-mail: eneil@diobpt.org
|
Incident Report for a
Victim of Sexual Abuse as Minors by a Priest, Deacon, Lay Employee,
Volunteer or Contract Employee of the Diocese of Bridgeport
If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual abuse, assault,
molestation or exploitation as a minor (under the age of 18 years)
by a person working for the Roman Catholic Church within The Diocese
of Bridgeport (such as a priest, deacon, sister, brother, lay officer,
lay employee, lay volunteer, etc.) whether the abuse took place
recently or in the past or you suspect that abuse may occur, you
are requested to report all details of the incident in the following
manner:
I. Call one of the Victims Assistance Coordinator for the Diocese
of Bridgeport: Ms. Erin Neil,
L.C.S.W.:
(203) 650-3265.
II. Compose in writing a detailed description of the facts involved
in the incident and send it as soon as possible to: Ms.
Erin Neil, L.C.S.W., Victims Assistance Coordinator,
238 Jewett Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06606.
Your detailed description of the incident should include:
- Your name
- Your address
- Your telephone number
- If known, your description should include the name, address
and telephone number of the minor/victim and his/her parents
or other person responsible for the minor's care
- The age/date of birth of the minor/victim
- The age of the minor/victim at the time of the alleged abuse
- The gender of the minor/victim
- The name and address of the person who allegedly committed
the misconduct
- The date or dates when the alleged abuse occurred
- The location(s)/Address where the alleged abuse took place
- The circumstances and nature of the misconduct
- The frequency and duration of the alleged abuse
- Names and contact information of any witnesses or individuals
who were present at the time of the abuse
- Names and contact information of any individual(s) that the
incident was reported to
- Please also submit any other information that you feel is
necessary
III. Sign the Notice of Disclosure (sample below) and attach to
the written report.
Once your report is received, information will then be communicated
by the Victim Assistance Coordinator to the CT Department of Children
and Families and/or the appropriate law enforcement agencies as
required by law and to the designated Diocesan officials for a thorough
investigation. If you are a non-mandated reporter under Connecticut
law, you should also be aware of your right to report to appropriate
authorities concerning this matter. We encourage you to report all
alleged or suspected abuse of minors to The CT Department of Children
and Families and/or appropriate law enforcement agencies. If you
are a mandated reporter, you must report directly to the State Department
of Children and Families Hotline and/or the appropriate law enforcement
agencies as required by law.
Once the Victim Assistance Coordinator receives your report as outlined
above, an investigation will be undertaken by or on behalf of the
Diocese of Bridgeport.
The Diocese of Bridgeport has pledged to respond to all allegations
of child sexual abuse swiftly, decisively, fairly and openly. However,
no action can be taken by the Diocese of Bridgeport before there
is a full understanding of all the facts as related by the alleged
victim. Only then can a proper investigation begin and appropriate
action be taken. If you are not ready or comfortable to provide
the necessary information, I encourage you to do so as soon as you
do feel ready. The victim assistance coordinator is available to
meet or speak with you at any time. You may also contact the Diocese
of Bridgeport Office of Safe Environments for more information.
Notice of Disclosure Involving Any Allegation
of Sexual Abuse if a Minor By a Priest, Deacon, Lay Employee, Volunteer
or Sub-Contrator in the Diocese of Bridgeport
While a high level of confidentiality will be maintained at all
times, absolute confidentiality and/or anonymity can not be guaranteed
in an allegation involving child sexual abuse of a minor by a priest,
deacon, lay employee, volunteer or contract employee of the Diocese
of Bridgeport. The Diocese of Bridgeport will not enter into any
confidentiality agreements regarding allegations of sexual abuse
of minors except for grave and substantial reasons advanced by victim
and noted in the text of the agreement.
An alleged victim and any other witnesses will be encouraged to
submit a written description of the incident or incidents. The report
will be investigated even without a written complaint. The general
counsel will attempt to identify and contact any other persons,
in addition to the alleged victim, who may have relevant knowledge
about the allegation.
The information contained in the incident report concerning sexual
abuse of a minor by a clergyman, lay employee, volunteer or subcontractor
may be reviewed by: The Bishop of the Diocese of Bridgeport, The
Moderator of Curia, The Sexual Misconduct Review Board, The Chancellor,
The Victims Assistance Coordinator, The General Counsel, The Director
of Safe Environments, The Department of Children and Family Services,
Civil Authorities, and other individuals deemed necessary.
The Sexual Misconduct Review Board will review the incident with
an anonymous reference to the accused person and the victim.
The victim will be required to meet in person with General Counsel
for a face to face interview. During the interview, specific questions
regarding the details of the incident will be discussed. The support
of the Victim Assistance Coordinator may be provided upon request
during the time of the interview.
The victim is requested to submit a written description of the incident.
Please Print the Name ____________________________________________
Signature ___________________________________________
Signature of Victim Assistance Coordinator
________________________________________
Date _________________________
For any questions or concerns, you may also contact:
Office of Safe Environments, Director
Ms. Erin Neil, L.C.S.W.
(203) 416-1406
(203) 650-3265
Email: eneil@diobpt.org
For more information on the Safe Environments Initiative, click
here.
|
Reportando una Alegación
de Abuso Sexual Infantil Dentro de la Diócesis de Bridgeport
¿Estoy obligado/a por ley, a reportar un incidente
sospechoso de abuso sexual de un menor de edad?
La respuesta es AFIRMATIVA. Todo personal de la Diócesis
que tenga conocimiento razonable o causa sospechosa de que se
haya cometido un abuso contra un menor por alguna otra persona
de la iglesia DEBE reportar la información inmediatamente.
¿A Quién DEBO REPORTAR El INCIDENTE?
Notifique inmediatamente a:
ERIN NEIL (203) 650-3265 ó
Debe también notificar a su supervisor inmediato.
¿Qué pasa si no estoy seguro? ¿Qué
Pasa si no se exactamente qué hacer?
Aunque este inseguro......... ¡¡¡¡REPORTE!!!!
OTRO CONTACTO INPORTANTE DE INFORMACION
Reportadores Obligados por ley, tienen la obligación de
reportar cualquier incidente de abuso sexual infantil al Departamento
de Servicios Sociales del estado (D.C.F.). Este documento es adicional
a las normas ya establecidas, de reportar el abuso infantil.
TELEFONO a LLAMAR EN CONNECTICUT. "HOTLINE" Para abuso y negligencia
infantil: 1-800-842-2288
Véase el informe adjunto de Requerimientos legales
de Connecticut con respecto al Abuso Sexual y Negligencia Infantil.
|
|
