Catholic Social Services is committed to ensuring the safety of all of God's children. In light of the recent abuse crisis within the Church, special procedures and guidelines have been instituted to help in both preventing abuse and in dealing with reports of misconduct.

The Diocese of Fall River follows set guidelines when dealing with a report of sexual misconduct invlovling one of its agents. Documents outlining the procedures are available online.

Procedures Regarding an Employee or Volunteer: http://www.fallriverdiocese.org/ccsabusebook.htm
Procedures Regarding a Priest, Deacon or Religious: http://www.fallriverdiocese.org/diocesan_policies.htm

Priests, deacons, religious, employees and volunteers of the Diocese of Fall River are required to follow the Diocesan Code of Conduct. Failure to adhere to this code results in an inquiry by the Diocese.

Diocese of Fall River - Code of Conduct: http://www.fallriverdiocese.org/codeofconduct.asp

The following instructions are taken from the Diocese of Fall River website:

If you or someone you know has been the victim of an incident of abuse by an agent of the Diocese of Fall River (priest, deacon, religious, employee or volunteer), the Diocese urges you to report the incident. Please contact Catholic Social Services at 508-674-4681. Tell the receptionist you need to report an incident of abuse; you will then be connected to the appropriate staff person.

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) has released a document regarding the current abuse crisis and its handling by the Church. The document, entitled Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, was approved by the full body of U.S. Catholic bishops at its November 2002 General Meeting.

Read the Charter here: http://www.usccb.org/ocyp/charter.htm