Sexual Abuse Reporting

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Disclosing an experience of sexual abuse can be very unsettling and deeply painful; however, it can also be an important step toward healing and justice for victims-survivors, and is necessary for the Church in its commitment to responsibility, accountability and transparency.

Sexual abuse or other sexual misconduct by a Bishop, or or whose actions or omissions intended to interfere with or avoid civil investigations or canonical investigations regarding sexual abuse, can be reported to Church authorities using the Canadian Reporting System for Sexual Abuse or Cover-up by a Catholic Bishop. This reporting system uses a confidential and secure platform designed by ClearView, an independent professional ethics firm based in Canada, to transmit your report to the proper Church authorities, who in turn will act as required by church and civil law.

Make your report online via ClearView’s highly secure and strictly confidential platform:

ClearView ReportingSystem

Make your report by phone via this Canada-wide 24-hour toll-free number operated by a bilingual ClearView agent at 1-866-892-3737. All ClearView agents are trained to provide a verbatim account of your report.

You may also wish to contact civil authorities and are required to do so if a minor is at risk as per the laws of each Canadian province and territory. See Responding to Child Welfare Concern: Your Role in Knowing When and What to Report.

The Canadian Reporting System for Sexual Abuse or Cover-up by a Catholic Bishop was established by the Bishops of Canada in response to Pope Francis’ Apostolic Letter Vos estis lux mundi (You are the light of the World). It represents another step in the Bishops’ ongoing commitment to responsible ministry and the protection of minors and vulnerable persons.

FAQ - Canadian Reporting System for Sexual Abuse or Cover-up by a Catholic Bishop

How to submit your report (Infographic) Whether online or over the phone, this infographic describes the steps when submitting a report:

Please download and read the entire protocol carefully prior to making a report.

PDF Document - Reporting of Sexual Abuse Brief Protocol - May 19, 2021

The Diocese of Prince George recognizes that sexual abuse by anyone representing the Church constitutes a serious breach of trust in human relationships and that it can have incalculable effects for the victim and his or her family, for the Church, and for the community at large.

The Diocese recognizes that it has a moral, spiritual and legal obligation to safeguard, in all respects, all of those to whom it ministers (Matthew 18:6). It is committed to exemplifying integrity and accountability and acting with justice and mercy. It expects its various diocesan representatives (i.e., diocesan priests and deacons, religious priests, deacons, brothers, and sisters, lay employees or lay volunteers) to be outstanding individuals of high moral and ethical standards. The Diocese opposes all forms of abuse and pledges to offer an environment free from abuse. This protocol deals specifically with sexual abuse and reflects the existing laws of the Province of British Columbia, the federal laws of Canada, and current canonical norms, including the inviolability of the sacramental seal of Confession.

The diocesan leadership will respond swiftly and compassionately when investigating a report of sexual abuse. It will assist those in need of healing and reconciliation, and take any and all means to prevent future occurrences of abuse. It will adhere to civil and canon law, and consult with the members of its Abuse Prevention Advisory Committee to regulate the safety of our ecclesial communities, prevent abuse, and provide a thorough, just, and compassionate response to any report of sexual abuse made against a diocesan representative.

The Diocese of Prince George recognizes that the decision to come forward and to report a complaint of sexual abuse against a diocesan representative may be difficult and often requires considerable courage. To assist you with this process, the Diocese provides the toll-free number which is linked to an independent reporting agency, Denis Boyd & Associates of Vancouver, B.C. This reporting Agency is managed by a team of psychologists, counsellors, and social workers, and has been engaged to help you make a report.

To make a report, we ask that you download the Brief Protocol and read it carefully. It provides important information you need as well as contact information to start the reporting process.