Child Protection

Reporting Child Abuse

If you or someone you know need to report child abuse by a member of the clergy, we are here to help and listen.

Please contact the Fort Wayne - South Bend Diocese

Jodi Marlin, Victim's Assistance Coordinator
email: jmarlin@diocesefwsb.org
phone: (260)-399-1447

Charter for the Protection of Children & Young People:
Parents have the right to insist their parishes and schools are in compliance with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. All parishes and schools should be able to show parents that the clergy, employees, and volunteers who work with children are familiar with the warning signs of offenders, what to do if they have a concern with someone, and how to report suspected abuse. Employees and volunteers who work with children also need to have their backgrounds evaluated so parents can have a reasonable assurance that known offenders are not around their children. 

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops:
The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People is a comprehensive set of procedures established by the USCCB in June 2002 for addressing allegations of sexual abuse of minors by Catholic clergy. The Charter also includes guidelines for reconciliation, healing, accountability, and prevention of future acts of abuse.
The Charter directs action in all the following matters:
• Creating a safe environment for children and young people
• Healing and reconciliation of victims and survivors
• Making a prompt and effective response to allegations
• Cooperating with civil authorities
• Disciplining offenders

Further, providing for means of accountability for the future to ensure the problem continues to be effectively dealt with through the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection and the National Review Board.

It remains important for our Church to protect children and young persons from the evils of abuse. The Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend remains committed to upholding and following its guidelines, policies and procedures that were implemented for the protection of children and young people. These can be reviewed on the diocese’s website, www.diocesefwsb.org, under “Youth Protection.”

If you have reason to believe that a minor may be a victim of child abuse or neglect, Indiana law requires that you report this to civil authorities. If you or someone you know was abused as a child or young person by an adult, you are encouraged to notify appropriate civil authorities of that abuse. The diocese is committed to helping prevent the abuse or neglect of children and young people and to assist those who have suffered harm as a result of such abuse.