Make a Report

English
Spanish

The Diocese of Springfield is committed to continue our efforts to work in partnership with local agencies to prevent any child from being abused or neglected. We also seek to bring about healing where abuse has occurred.

Reporting Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse

To report allegations of sexual abuse of a minor by clergy or other church personnel -- even if it is in the past -- individuals are encouraged to call the Diocese's Child Abuse Reporting and Investigation number at 217.321.1155. Individuals may also contact Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Child Abuse Hotline at 1.800.25.ABUSE.

 

In the State of Illinois many professionals, including CLERGY, TEACHERS, doctors, counselors, etc. -- are MANDATED reporters. This means such individuals are required to report to the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services within 24 hours if they SUSPECT a child is being neglected or abused in any way. Individuals may also contact Illinois Department of Children and Family Services Child Abuse Hotline at 1.800.25.ABUSE. The line is answered 24 hours a day. There may be significant penalties for mandated reporters who fail to report suspected child abuse or neglect.

 

The Diocese of Springfield encourages ANYONE who has reason to suspect a child is being abused or neglected to report the matter to local authorities.

What happens when you report an allegation of sexual abuse to the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois?

  • First, the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois sends allegations of sexual abuse to public authorities/DCFS, and we fully cooperate with them. We also encourage victim survivors to do the same.
  • Upon receiving an allegation of clergy sexual abuse of a minor, after having been promptly referred to public authorities/DCFS, the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois will call an emergency meeting of the Review Board within 48 hours to make an initial assessment of the accusation, and the Review Board may determine for the safety of the alleged victim survivor and other minors, that the cleric be withdrawn from ministry pending a further investigation.
  • The Diocesan Assistance Minister simultaneously facilitates an immediate pastoral response as soon as reasonably possible with the person making the allegation, or the person’s family (parents or guardians), as appropriate, listening, providing solace, and offering compassion, and support.
  • The allegation is investigated more fully by the Facilitator of the Review Board and, where necessary, other investigators not employed by the diocese.
  • Those results from the Facilitator and investigator(s) are then sent to the Review Board, which is comprised of people who are experts in the fields of in criminal justice, education, law enforcement, psychology, medicine, and a victim survivor of clergy abuse. They determine whether further investigation is warranted or if there are any outstanding questions.
  • Once the investigation is complete, the Review Board will make the determination on whether the allegation and other information are sufficient to reasonably suspect that the accused has engaged in sexual abuse of a minor.
  • If the Review Board determines the allegation is sufficient to suspect that the accused has engaged in sexual abuse of a minor, the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois will remove that priest from ministry indefinitely.
  • Medical, psychological, spiritual assistance, or other appropriate and relevant assistance desired will be offered in a spirit of Christian justice and charity in cases where the Review Board’s recommendation is that there is reason to suspect that the accused has engaged in the sexual abuse of a minor

Reporting Misconduct

The Report Misconduct Hotline for the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois is a venue to report financial misconduct or adult sexual misconduct committed by priests, deacons or lay employees of the Church. This hotline is not intended for use as a venue to register disagreements with financial, pastoral, or management decisions or to report the sexual abuse of a minor by Church personnel.

Hotline Number: 1-866-346-2003

Email: reportmisconduct@gmail.com

Reporting Abuse or Misconduct by Bishops

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 or eparchial bishop instead.

 

Go to ReportBishopAbuse.org or call (800) 276-1562 to file a report. If you are the victim of sexual abuse (or any other crime), please also contact local law enforcement.