Procedures to Report Suspected and Alleged Abuse of a minor

  • Immediately report the allegations by phone or in person to law enforcement and the Department of Child Safety, (DCS). Non-emergency reports can be made to DCS online by going to https://dcs.az.gov/report-child-abuse
  • If the accused is a member of the clergy, a consecrated man or woman, an employee or a volunteer of the Church, after reporting to law enforcement and DCS, immediately contact the Office of Child and Youth Protection at (602) 354- 2396 or https://www.lighthouse-services.com/dphx

    • English: 1-877-850-0003

    • Spanish: 1-800-216-1288

  • If you wish to report a bishop or his equivalent in law for a crime, then you must first call your local civic authorities, i.e., the police and the child protection agency in your area. Secondly, if you are within the Diocese of Phoenix (which is within the Province of Santa Fe) please call the reporting system telephone number if you wish to report a bishop for the sexual abuse of a minor, sexual acts involving adults regarded as vulnerable and/or for mishandling such cases at (505) 219-8743.

When a minor discloses sexual abuse

  • Listen attentively to the minor.
  • Stay calm and keep the minor in a safe environment.
  • Leave questioning of the child for the trained interviewer.
  • Assure and validate the child: the abuse was not his/her fault and they did the right thing by reporting.
  • When the minor is stable and secure with another adult, immediately report the allegations by phone or in person, to law enforcement and the Department of Child Safety (DCS). Non-emergency reports can be made to DCS online by going to https://dcs.az.gov/report-child-abuse
  • If the accused is a member of the clergy, a consecrated man or woman, an employee or a volunteer of the Church, after reporting to law enforcement and DCS, immediately contact the Office of Child and Youth Protection (602) 354- 2396.

Adults Reporting Past Abuse

  • An adult who alleges abuse as a child, by a member of the clergy, a consecrated man or woman, an employee, or a volunteer of the Church, is encouraged to contact the Office of Child and Youth Protection (OCYP) to make a report. The Arizona reporting law (ARS 13-3620) does not apply. The individual has the right to make a report to law enforcement. A report to law enforcement is highly encouraged and support will be offered to assist the individual in making the report.
  • If the reported abuse took place in another diocese, the Office of Child and Youth Protection may contact the Office of Child and Youth Protection in that diocese to report and request assistance for the individual. The decision to report to law enforcement in the city/state in which the abuse occurred is encouraged and supported.

Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service

  • 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 bishop instead. Sexual abuse by a priest, deacon or a staff member or volunteer of the Church should be reported to the Office of Child and Youth Protection. If you are the victim of sexual abuse (or any other crime), please contact local law enforcement. Make a Report Online or call 1-800-276-1562.

The diocese is committed to working in good faith with law enforcement and the Department of Child Safety. So as not to compromise an investigation, those who make the report shall not discuss the incident with anyone unless required to do so in conjunction with the investigation.