Promise To Protect
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The Diocese of Trenton and St. Cathairne- St. Margaret Parish are committed to the initiatives outlined in the U.S. Bishop’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People in regard to the reporting and investigation of sexual abuse allegations involving minors.
If you have been sexually abused as a minor by a member of the clergy or anyone representing the Catholic Church, or if you know of someone who was, you can report that abuse through the diocesan Abuse Hotline.
To report the sexual abuse of minors call the Diocesan hotline at 1-888-296-2965 or email at [email protected]
The Diocese of Trenton reports any allegations of sexual abuse to the appropriate law enforcement agencies. Anyone with an allegation is also encouraged to provide that information to local law enforcement authorities.
The Diocese of Trenton has an understanding with the New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice that includes specific criteria and procedures for reporting sexual offenses to law enforcement. This Memorandum of Understanding requires that the diocese report all allegations of sexual offenses to law enforcement. The diocese has appointed a designated liaison to assist in compliance with the terms of the Memorandum.
The Diocese of Trenton Promise to Protect, Pledge to Heal Reference Guide can be found HERE
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How to report a complaint of sexual abuse
Complaints of sexual abuse may be reported in any of the following ways:
• A telephone call to the Diocesan Abuse Hotline: 1-888-296-2965.
• Email to confidential address : [email protected] or [email protected]
• Letter addressed to:
Margaret Dziminski
Associate Director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection
Diocese of Trenton
701 Lawrenceville Road
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 -
How are complaints handled?
Whether the victim is an adult or a minor, all complaints of sexual abuse are to be forwarded to the Diocesan Response Officer. This contact information is shown above, published on the diocesan website, and available at every parish and school in the Diocese.
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What happens next?
The Diocesan Response Officer forwards all complaints to the Diocesan Liaison to the Prosecutors’ Offices, the Victim Assistance Coordinators, the Review Board Coordinator and the Bishop of the Diocese of Trenton. The liaison will forward any complaint of sexual abuse to the prosecuting authorities and, where required, to New Jersey’s Department of Youth and Family Services.
The Victim Assistance Coordinator, Maureen Fitzsimmons , will arrange for the immediate care of persons who claim to have been sexually abused and will maintain records and coordinate and monitor follow-up care.
The Diocesan Review Board Coordinator will schedule a meeting of the Diocesan Review Board to review the complaint and consult with the Bishop regarding the preliminary investigation of the accusation.
If the act of sexual abuse of a minor by a priest or deacon is admitted, or it is established after an appropriate process, the offender will be removed from ministry.
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Diocese of Trenton Child Protection Efforts
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Please see the Diocese of Trenton Department of Child Protection website to see the different programs in place to protect children at St. Catharine- St. Margaret Parish and throughout the Diocese of Trenton.
To volunteer with children at St. Catharine- St. Margaret Parish please see our Volunteering with children webpage. All volunteers and employees working with children on a regular basis are required to complete this process.
For more information on our Safe Environment efforts at St. Catharine- St. Margaret Parish please contact our Safe Environment Coordinator, Lisa DeFillippo Cole at 732-449-5765 x169 or [email protected]
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