The Diocese of Corpus Christi Office for Child and Youth Protection develops and implements programs to protect minors and vulnerable adults from abuse and harassment.
To respond quickly and effectively to allegations, incidents and concerns related to abuse or misconduct.
To reach out to victims and survivors of sexual abuse by church personnel.
To insure diocesan compliance with the U.S. Catholic Bishop’s Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
Reporting Abuse of Minors or Vulnerable Adults
A. In accordance with Texas Law, any citizen who has cause to believe that a minor may have been or is being abused must report his or her observations or suspicions.
If the suspected abuser is a primary caretaker of the child, a report is made to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (TDFPS), Child Protective Services division. Child Protective Services maintains a 24-hour child abuse hotline at 1.800.252.5400 and a reporting web site, https://www.txabusehotline.org.
If the suspected abuser is not the primary caretaker of the child, the report should be made to local civil law enforcement.
B. The person having cause to believe that a minor or vulnerable adult is being abused should document (with dates and times) observations and details of reporting.
C. Failure to report suspected abuse of a minor in Texas is a crime. Reports may be made confidentially. A person who mistakenly reports suspected abuse to civil authorities is immune from civil or criminal liability as long as the report was made in good faith and without malice.
D. If the report involves sexual abuse of a minor by clergy or other church personnel, the following steps should be taken:
If you are a victim/survivor and are a minor, contact a trusted adult immediately and inform them. Seek their assistance in helping you report your complaint if you feel unable to do so yourself. This is your right.
If you are an adult survivor or an adult who is assisting a minor in filing a complaint, report the incident to local civil authorities (law enforcement) and/or Child Protective Services. It is a victim/survivors right to report such incidents. Those adults who assist minors in reporting are obligated by law to do so.
Contact the diocesan Office for Child and Youth Protection or the Office of the Bishop or the Office of the Chancellor at 361-882-6191.
Seek assistance from a counselor trained in the area of sexual abuse
The Diocese of Corpus Christi Office for Child and Youth Protection develops and implements programs to protect minors and vulnerable adults from abuse and harassment.
