What happens when a person makes a report of sexual abuse to the Diocese?

Each call and each caller is unique. Callers to the Diocese may contact the Victim Assistance Coordinator or the Vicar General and Moderator of the Curia (below) to report sexual abuse. Callers may also leave a message on the Diocesan Sexual Abuse Hotline at (817) 560-2452, ext. 900. Some reports initially reach the Diocese in the form of emails or letters.

The Victim Assistance Coordinator and the Vicar General seek to recognize and respond to the emotional state of callers, assuring them of our deep concern for their well-being.

• Callers are asked to share such details of the abuse as they are able, so that we can know what happened, when the abuse took place, and who was involved.

• When callers meet with the Victim Assistance Coordinator and/or the Vicar General, they are encouraged to bring a friend or family member with them for support. It is always helpful for persons reporting misconduct to have the support of a family member or friend who can accompany them at any stage of the process. At the first meeting, the Coordinator or the Vicar General offers to arrange a meeting between the victim-survivor and the Bishop. A meeting with the bishop is an option open to victims-survivors at any time during the healing process.

• The Victim Assistance Coordinator reviews the victim-survivors’ right to report their abuse to civil authorities, presents them with printed instructions on how to contact law enforcement in the jurisdiction (suburb, city or county) where the abuse occurred and guides them through the reporting process. The Victim Assistance Coordinator reports the allegation of abuse to civil authorities and to the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services (800) 252-4200.
  
  In cases where reporting of abuse involves another diocese or religious order , the Victim Assistance Coordinator assists victim-survivors to contact and report abuse to the appropriate individuals. The Victim Assistance Coordinator assists the victim-survivor throughout the process.

• The Coordinator and Vicar General answer any questions callers have and discuss with them the kinds of assistance they need in order to continue their healing process. The Coordinator can provide a list of counseling and spiritual resources and assist victim-survivor to contact an appropriate therapist; or the Coordinator will work with any counselors already providing therapy to victim-survivor and their families.

• The Assistance Coordinator provides on-going pastoral care and support to victim-survivors and their families; the Coordinator or the Vicar General can also arrange a meeting between the victim-survivor and the Bishop at any time during the healing process.

• Pastoral care and outreach to victim-survivors and their families are our first concerns and continue as long as the victim-survivor requests it.

Contact

Judy Locke
Victim Assistance Coordinator
(817) 560-2452, Ext. 201
jlocke@fwdioc.org

Very Rev. Stephen Berg
Vicar General/Moderator of the Curia and Charter Response Coordinator
(817) 560-2452, Ext. 102
sberg@fwdioc.org