THE DIOCESE OF BRIDGEPORT

OFFICE OF SAFE ENVIRONMENTS

STEPS FOR REPORTING AN INCIDENT OF ABUSE

All Members of the Clergy, Seminarians, Religious sisters and Brothers, Lay employees, Volunteers and Independent contractors are required to report any suspicion of sexual abuse, other abuse or a violation of the Code of Conduct.


If you have actual knowledge of or have reasonable cause to suspect abuse or misconduct against any minor by a member of the Clergy, Seminarian, Lay Employee, Lay Volunteer or Independent Contractor of the Diocese of Bridgeport, (whether the incident occurred recently or in the past) report that information immediately to:
Erin Neil, L.C.S.W., Director of Safe Environments & Victim Assistance Coordinator,
 (203) 650-3265 or

Michael Tintrup L.C.S.W. (203) 241-0987

AND
The CT Department of Children and Family (D.C.F.) Child Abuse and Neglect Hotline
Mandated Reporters are required by law to report directly to D.C.F. or to the Police (911). This document is in addition to CT mandated reporting guidelines.
1-800-842-2288

You must also notify your immediate supervisor. If the incident of suspected abuse involves a supervisor, contact Safe Environments directly.

WARNING SIGNS
If you have any concern about the safety of a child or if you have observed an early warning sign of inappropriate conduct or violation of the Diocese of Bridgeport Code of Conduct, you should report this information to Safe Environments immediately. When in doubt, REPORT!!!  Call immediately with what you know. Your information will be handled with a high level of confidentiality at all times however full anonymity can not be guaranteed in cases involving abuse of a minor.

Other Important Numbers:.
For questions or concerns relating to Safe Environments, VIRTUS Awareness Training, Resources for Victims of Abuse or Mandated Reporting, please contact Erin Neil. (203) 416-1406 / (203) 650-3265 email:  eneil@diobpt.org.
For assistance or questions relating to background checks, please contact Human Resources: (203) 416-1402