Events in the recent past have made all clergy, Church leaders, teachers, catechists and Catholics in the pews aware of the magnitude of child abuse in society. It is imperative, therefore, that all adults --- including clergy, church and school employees and volunteers --- be prepared to deal with the realities of abuse and be educated in the pertinent state laws and the voluntary additional programs which the Archdiocese has adopted for reporting suspected child abuse or neglect.

Mandatory Reporting: California State Law designates that all priests, deacons, school faculty and administrators, as well as supervising staff members in our parishes and parish ministries, are mandated child abuse reporters.

When mandated persons receive information or observe a "reasonable suspicion" that a child or youth under 18 is being abused or neglected, that mandated person must make a report to the appropriate child protection agency or local law enforcement agency immediately or as soon as is practically possible by telephone. The telephone call to the child protection agency or the local law enforcement agency must be followed by a written report using the mandated State form within 36 hours.

The Archdiocese of Los Angeles also requires that all mandated reporters inform by telephone and send a copy of the written report to the Archdiocesan General Counsel Office at the Archdiocesan Catholic Center so that the Archdiocese can follow up with law enforcement.

Non-Mandatory Reporting: In his Pastoral Letter, "Working Together to Prevent Sexual Abuse," Cardinal Roger Mahony writes:

"In this time of brokenness, the Spirit calls us to work together to protect our children and young people. The scourge of sexual abuse of minors is not limited to the Church or a few offending clergy; it is a scourge that exists throughout our society --- in families, schools and other organizations…."

Cardinal Mahony's words remind all Catholics that we are responsible for protecting God's children, whether or not the State of California has designated us as mandated reporters and whether or not the possible victim is still a minor. The Cardinal has made it policy that everyone involved in the Church should make non-mandatory reports to law enforcement agencies and to the General Counsel when we become aware of possible abuse or neglect, including situations involving persons who are now adults but who were abused before they became 18.

It is every adult's moral responsibility to protect possible victims by reporting the suspected abuse or neglect to the responsible authorities. Sexual abuse of minors is a pervasive, societal problem, and only concerted and sustained efforts by all adults in every segment of society can help to protect children and youth.

Persons Being Abused: An individual child, youth or adult who is being abused needs help. Without intervention, the abuse is likely to continue. Help is available from several sources. The Archdiocese of Los Angeles Office of Assistance Ministry, (800) 355-2545, provides help to all victims of abuse.

The Prevent Child Abuse California organization has a website containing helpful information and local contacts: www.pca-ca.org.

Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect: All child abuse and neglect can be reported to County Child Abuse Agencies:
---Los Angeles County Department of Children's Services: (800) 540-4000.
---Santa Barbara County Child Welfare Services Hotline: (800) 367-0166.
---Ventura County Child Family Services Hotline: (800) 654-3200.

Throughout the State of California, you may call the Child Abuse Hot Line toll free at (800) 540-4000; TTD line, (800) 272-6699.

For callers residing outside the State of California who wish to contact child protective services here, the number is (323) 283-1960.

Contacting Law Enforcement Agencies with Reports of Sexual Abuse of a Minor: Law enforcement agencies investigate and prosecute those who abuse children. To report criminal sexual abuse of a minor, you may phone the following:

For Los Angeles County:
---Sexually Exploited Child Unit, Los Angeles Police Department: (213) 847-5358 or (213) 485-2883.
---Los Angeles County Sheriff Department: (323) 526-5000.
---District Attorney, Sexual Crimes and Child Abuse Unit: (213) 974-9790.

For Santa Barbara County:
---Santa Barbara County District Attorney: (805) 568-2398.

For Ventura County:
---Ventura County District Attorney: (805) 658-4190.

Sexual abuse of any sort desecrates God-given human dignity. No matter who the perpetrator --- a priest or a parent, a teacher or a counselor, a coach or a relative --- sexual abuse violates a child of God. As followers of Jesus who gave His life so that we might have life and have it to the full (John 10:10-11), Catholic Christians have the vocation of proclaiming and fostering human dignity.

Clearly, the Spirit is calling our Church and our society to act in new and forceful ways to root out the evil of sexual abuse of minors. Working together, we can help prevent sexual abuse. [Adapted from Archdiocese of Los Angeles pamphlet, "Working Together to Prevent Sexual Abuse," 2003.]

This is the fourty-fourth story in a series. This weekly series of feature stories, commentary and analysis is compiled and edited by an advisory group to the Media Relations Office of the Archdiocese, through which the articles are distributed.