HOW TO REPORT ALLEGATIONS OF ABUSE
The Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service (CBAR) has been created to gather and relay reports of sexual misconduct involving active or retired bishops of the United States, and reports of their intentional interference in a sexual abuse investigation. To file a report involving a bishop of the United States, go to ReportBishopAbuse.org or call 800-276-1562. For additional information and frequently asked questions about CBAR, please see: CBAR INFO FAQ English| CBAR INFO FAQ Spanish
If you wish to report any other kind of abuse or misconduct by a bishop, please contact the Diocese of Charleston Victim Assistance Coordinator, Nicole Cook, LISW-CP, at 843-856-0748 or 800-921-8122.
To report abuse by a priest, deacon, religious brother or sister, or layperson working for the Church: To report abuse by church personnel, please contact the Diocese of Charleston Victim Assistance Coordinator, Nicole Cook, LISW-CP, at 843-856-0748 or 800-921-8122. It is the policy of the Diocese of Charleston that all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor by Church Personnel will be reported to the police; if your report involves sexual abuse of a minor or any other form of abuse committed by Church Personnel, please contact the police in the area in which the abuse occurred prior to contacting the Victim Assistance Coordinator.
For additional information about our pastoral response to allegations of abuse by church personnel, please see Diocese of Charleston Victim Assistance.
STATE MANDATORY REPORTERS / ALL CHURCH PERSONNEL
Mandatory reporters are legally required to report suspected abuse or neglect of minors or vulnerable adults. Failure to report is a misdemeanor offense that could result in legal action. The Bishop of Charleston considers all “Church Personnel” to be Mandatory Reporters. Failure of Church Personnel to report suspected abuse or neglect of minors or vulnerable adults may result in termination of employment, or removal from volunteer ministry.
For more information on Mandated Reporters, click on the link below:
South Carolina Department of Social Services Mandated Reporters
REMEMBER: YOUR ROLE IS ONLY TO REPORT; THERE IS TO BE NO INVESTIGATION BY YOU OR ANYONE ELSE AT THE PARISH/SCHOOL LEVEL.
If you suspect abuse or neglect has occurred within a family:
- Report to the S.C. Department of Social Services by calling 1-888-CARE4US or 1-888-227-3487 or online at SCDSS Online Reporting
- Contact the Diocese at 1-843-261-0433, to report status.
If you suspect abuse by diocesan personnel (priests, religious brothers or sisters, deacons, teachers, employees or volunteers) has occurred, please contact:
- The local police department immediately.
- After reporting to law enforcement, call the Victim Assistance Coordinator, Nicole Cook, LISW-CP at 843-856-0748 or 800-921-8122
State Mandatory Reporters Are:
- School teachers, counselors, principals, assistant principals
- Child care workers in day care centers and foster care facilities
- Clergy, except where information is received from the alleged perpetrator during a clergy/penitent privilege
- Social or public assistance workers
- Substance abuse treatment staff
- Police or law enforcement officers
- Undertakers, funeral home directors and employees
- Persons responsible for processing films
- Judges
- Computer technicians
- Physicians, nurses, dentist, optometrists
- Medical examiners and coroners, and their employees
- Any other medical, emergency medical services, mental or allied health professionals
- Christian Science practitioners, religious healers
Church Personnel / Mandatory Reporters Are:
- All employees in the Diocese of Charleston. This includes all parish and school employees as well as all diocesan offices.
- All Volunteers involved in ministries within the Diocese of Charleston.