Reporting Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse

Reporting Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse

To report allegations of sexual abuse of a minor by clergy or other church personnel -- even if it is in the past -- individuals are encouraged to call the Diocese's Child Abuse Reporting and Investigation number at 217.321.1155. Individuals may also contact Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Child Abuse Hotline at 1.800.25.ABUSE.

In the State of Illinois many professionals, including CLERGY, TEACHERS, doctors, counselors, etc. -- are MANDATED reporters. This means such individuals are required to report to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services within 24 hours if they SUSPECT a child is being neglected or abused in any way. Individuals may also contact Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Child Abuse Hotline at 1.800.25.ABUSE. The line is answered 24 hours a day. There may be significant penalties for mandated reporters who fail to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

The Diocese of Springfield encourages ANYONE who has reason to suspect a child is being abused or neglected to report the matter to local authorities.

Reporting Financial or Adult Sexual Misconduct

Reporting Misconduct

The Report Misconduct Hotline for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is a venue to report financial misconduct or adult sexual misconduct committed by priests, deacons or lay employees of the Church. This hotline is not intended for use as a venue to register disagreements with financial, pastoral, or management decisions or to report the sexual abuse of a minor by Church personnel.

Hotline Number: 1-866-346-2003

Email:

Reporting Abuse or Misconduct by Bishops

Reporting Abuse or Misconduct by Bishops

The Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service has been established to receive reports of sexual abuse and related misconduct by bishops, and to relay those reports to proper church authorities for investigation. Where a report includes a crime, such as the sexual abuse of a minor, it will also be reported to civil authorities. Otherwise, reports will be kept confidential. If you have any other kind of complaint about a bishop—such as parish assignments, church closings, or homily contents—please address those directly to your diocesan or eparchial bishop instead.

Go to ReportBishopAbuse.org or call (800) 276-1562 to file a report. If you are the victim of sexual abuse (or any other crime), please also contact local law enforcement.