IF YOU SUSPECT A CHILD IS IN IMMINENT DANGER FROM ABUSE, PLEASE CALL
9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY.

We want to be certain that everyone who serves in Church ministry, or any entity affiliated with the Diocese of Paterson, is aware of the strict obligation to report promptly any sexual abuse of a minor.

To report sexual abuse perpetrated by anyone, including a member of the clergy or a church employee or volunteer or if you receive information from any source so as to give you reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect, you must IMMEDIATELY:

1. Contact New Jersey Child Protection and Permanency (CP&P) CP&P Hotline: 1-877-652-2873 (CP&P was formerly the Division of Youth and Family Services, DYFS), the Division of Youth and Family Services. http://www.state.nj.us/dcf/contact/dcpplocal/ State of New Jersey law requires that any person who suspects child abuse or neglect must report it immediately to the CP&P. Page 11 of 12 (edited September 8, 2015)

2. Next, please contact your County Prosecutor:
    Morris County: (973) 285-6200
    Sussex County: (973) 383-1570
    Passaic County: (973) 881-4800

3. Finally, please report this to the Diocesan General Counsel Ken Mullaney - 973-777-8818, ext. 240 or email: kmullaney@patersondiocese.org. “Immediately” in the above paragraphs means that it must be done without any delay whatsoever. This will allow you to follow the law and avoid the legal consequences of a delay in reporting.

We have to go the extra mile to protect all children. The obligation to report abuse is not subject to the consent of the victim, parent, legal guardian, or person aware of the abuse.

The Diocese does not investigate sexual abuse allegations. Investigation is the job of law enforcement, as outlined above. When any report or allegation involving sexual abuse or misconduct is received by the Diocese, it will be responded to immediately, but in no case will it be longer than one business day.

The Diocese does have a role in helping victims of sexual abuse.

Victims may contact one of the Diocesan Response Officers:

Msgr. T. Mark Condon, (973) 777-8818 X 205
or
Sister Joan Daniel Healy, S.C.C. (973) 777-8818, X 248

The Diocese also has a professional Victim Assistance Coordinator: Dr. Kenneth McNeil, (973) 879-1489 - kmcnielpatersondiocese.org