If a minor is reporting sexual abuse to a Church employee or volunteer:

• Listen to reach an initial understanding of the situation being described.
• Remember that your role is not to determine the truthfulness of the allegation, so avoid interrogation.
• Advise the minor that his/her parents or guardian will be called.
• Before dismissing the minor, call the parent/guardian and the pastor/administrator. A minor should be released to the custody of his/her parent/guardian after making such a report unless the sexual abuser is the parent/guardian then the civil authorities should be consulted.

If an adult is reporting the sexual abuse:

• Advise him/her of the need to call the parents or guardian, and to call the civil authorities.
• Remember that your role is not to determine the truthfulness of the allegation, so avoid interrogation.

If the minor’s parents or guardian are reporting the sexual abuse,

• Advise them that this is their responsibility to report the matter to civil authorities.
• Advise them that you will be reporting the matter to the Diocese.
• Remember that your role is not to determine the truthfulness of the allegation.
• Advise them that the Diocese will follow up with them to determine that they have reported the matter to civil authorities.