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and the Review Board may determine for the safety of the alleged victim survivor and other minors, that the cleric be withdrawn from ministry pending a further investigation.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

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:

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.

Para reportar una alegación de abuso sexual de un clérigo o personal de la iglesia a un menor - aún si ocurrió en el pasado - animamos a los individuos a llamar al número de "Reportando e Investigando Abuso de Niños de la Diócesis" Tel. 217.321.1155. También se puede contactar al Departamento de Servicios para Niños y Familias; Línea directa de Abuso de niños: 1800.25.ABUSE.

En el Estado de Illinois, muchos profesionales incluyendo CLERO, PROFESORES, doctores, consejeros, etc. - están OBLIGADOS a denunciar. Esto significa que si ellos SOSPECHAN que un niño ha sido abandonado, o abusado de alguna manera, tienen que reportar dentro de las 24 horas al Departamento de Servicios de Niños y Familias de Illinois. Estos individuos también pueden contactar la línea directa del Departamento de Servicios de Niños y Familias de Illinois Tel. 1.800.25.ABUSE -la línea está abierta las 24 horas del día-. Existen varias penalidades serias a quienes no reporten la sospecha, el abuso o el abandono de un niño.

La Diócesis de Springfield anima a TODO el que tenga la mínima sospecha de que un niño es abusado o abandonado, a reportar el caso a las autoridades locales.

La línea directa para Reportar Mala Conducta en la Diócesis de Springfield en Illinois es una forma de reportar la mala conducta financiera o de abuso sexual cometido por un sacerdote, diácono o empleado laico de la Iglesia. Esta Línea no es para documentar desacuerdos con decisiones financieras, pastorales o de administración, o para reportar abuso sexual de un menor por personal de la Iglesia. 

Línea Directa: 1.866.346.2003

Correo electrónico:

El Servicio de Reporte de un Obispo Católico ha sido establecido para recibir reportes de abuso sexual y mala conducta relacionada con obispos y para transferir esos reportes a las autoridades eclesiásticas apropiadas para su investigación. Cuando un reporte incluye un crimen, como el abuso de un menor, también será denunciado a las autoridades civiles. Por lo demás, los reportes serán guardados confidencialmente. Si usted tiene otra clase de queja acerca de un obispo - como asignaciones parroquiales, cierre de iglesias, o contenido de homilías - por favor dirija estos a su obispo diocesano o decano. 

Vaya a ReportBishopAbuse.org o llame al 1.800.276.1562 para presentar un caso. Si usted es la víctima de abuso (o de cualquier otro crimen), por favor contacte también a las autoridades legales locales.