The Catholic Bishops of Canada condemn the sin and crime of sexual abuse in the strongest possible terms. No one should ever have to endure the pain, humiliation, and long-term suffering it causes, nor should anyone have to doubt that serious consequences await a perpetrator of sexual abuse or cover-up. The Church grieves with victim-survivors and profoundly regrets the tremendous harm caused. The Bishops of Canada wish to reach out and accompany victims-survivors along the path that restores justice and promotes healing.
As a local faith community of the Catholic Church, the Diocese of Victoria upholds and promotes the values expressed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in the teachings and laws of the Catholic Church. This means, among other things, that the Diocese takes a stance of deep respect for the dignity of all persons and commits itself to the well-being of all persons.
The dignity of all are respected within the parishes and schools of the Diocese of Victoria. This encompasses its programs and facilities, those we serve, particularly the young and the vulnerable as well as those who serve; clergy, religious, employees and volunteers in general. The Diocese upholds the fundamental good of all that God has created, yet it recognizes the reality that within our humanity there is always the possibility of misconduct towards others. These policies are meant to assist the Church in responding with charity and justice.
As a local faith community of the Catholic Church, the Diocese of Victoria upholds and promotes the values expressed in the Gospel of Jesus Christ and in the teachings and laws of the Catholic Church. This means, among other things, that the Diocese takes a stance of deep respect for the dignity of all persons and commits itself to the well-being of all persons.
The dignity of all are respected within the parishes and schools of the Diocese of Victoria. This encompasses its programs and facilities, those we serve, particularly the young and the vulnerable as well as those who serve; clergy, religious, employees and volunteers in general. The Diocese upholds the fundamental good of all that God has created, yet it recognizes the reality that within our humanity there is always the possibility of misconduct towards others. These policies are meant to assist the Church in responding with charity and justice.
How Do I Report Suspected Abuse?
The decision to come forward and report sexual abuse, whether current or historic, by clergy, employee, or volunteers may be difficult and often requires considerable courage. To assist you with this process, the Diocese of Victoria provides an independent reporting service (Boyd & Associates: 1-800-968-3146) staffed by a team of psychologists, counsellors and social workers.
When you call this independent reporting service, you may share your experience and explore counselling options. This service can also assist in reporting abuse to the appropriate authorities and ensuring that you are updated on developments as they occur.
Following a report of sexual abuse to this service a report will be made to the Diocese of Victoria through the Diocesan Responsible Ministry Coordinator (DRMC). The alleged perpetrator will be immediately suspended from employment and/or ministry pending an investigation. Any conviction for sexual abuse will result in immediate termination of employment and/or ministry.
Anyone who has reason to believe that a child or adult who is vulnerable may be sexually abused has a duty to report this to a child protection social worker. Please refer to The Child, Family and Community Service Act (www.mcf.gov.bc.ca) or the MCFD handbook: “Responding to Child Welfare Concern: Your Role in Knowing When and What to Report” for more information.
If a child is in immediate danger call police at 911.
If you are a child or youth call the Helpline for Children at 310-1234.
Victim Link BC: 250-310-1234
The decision to come forward and report sexual abuse, whether current or historic, by clergy, employee, or volunteers may be difficult and often requires considerable courage. To assist you with this process, the Diocese of Victoria provides an independent reporting service (Boyd & Associates: 1-800-968-3146) staffed by a team of psychologists, counsellors and social workers.
When you call this independent reporting service, you may share your experience and explore counselling options. This service can also assist in reporting abuse to the appropriate authorities and ensuring that you are updated on developments as they occur.
Following a report of sexual abuse to this service a report will be made to the Diocese of Victoria through the Diocesan Responsible Ministry Coordinator (DRMC). The alleged perpetrator will be immediately suspended from employment and/or ministry pending an investigation. Any conviction for sexual abuse will result in immediate termination of employment and/or ministry.
Anyone who has reason to believe that a child or adult who is vulnerable may be sexually abused has a duty to report this to a child protection social worker. Please refer to The Child, Family and Community Service Act (www.mcf.gov.bc.ca) or the MCFD handbook: “Responding to Child Welfare Concern: Your Role in Knowing When and What to Report” for more information.
If a child is in immediate danger call police at 911.
If you are a child or youth call the Helpline for Children at 310-1234.
Victim Link BC: 250-310-1234
Reporting Abuse or a Cover-Up by a Bishop:
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 actions or omissions by a Bishop intended to interfere with or avoid civil 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.
Make your report by phone via this Canada-wide 24-hour toll-free number operated by a bilingual ClearView agent. 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.
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 actions or omissions by a Bishop intended to interfere with or avoid civil 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.
Make your report by phone via this Canada-wide 24-hour toll-free number operated by a bilingual ClearView agent. 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.
