Child Abuse Reporting

- Offices and Ministries

To Report Abuse
IF YOU SUSPECT A CHILD IS IN IMMINENT DANGER FROM ABUSE,
PLEASE CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY.

We want to be certain that everyone who serves in Church ministry, or any entity affiliated with the Diocese of Paterson, is aware of the strict obligation to report promptly any sexual abuse of a minor.

To report sexual abuse perpetrated by anyone, including a member of the clergy or a church employee or volunteer or if you receive information from any source so as to give you reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been subjected to abuse or neglect, you must IMMEDIATELY:

1. Contact New Jersey Child Protection and Permanency, CP&P:
- CP&P Hotline: 1-877-652-2873
  - (CP&P was formerly the Division of Youth and Family Services, DYFS)
State of New Jersey law requires that any person who suspects child abuse or neglect must report it immediately to the CP&P.

2. Next, please contact your County Prosecutor:
- Morris County: (973) 285-6200
- Sussex County: (973) 383-1570
- Passaic County: (973) 881-4800
3. Finally, please report this to the Diocesan General Counsel
- Ken Mullaney - 973-777-8818, ext. 240 or email: [email protected].
“Immediately” in the above paragraphs means that it must be done without any delay whatsoever. This will allow you to follow the law and avoid the legal consequences of a delay in reporting. We have to go the extra mile to protect all children. The obligation to report abuse is not subject to the consent of the victim, parent, legal guardian, or person aware of the abuse.

If you wish a fuller explanation of the requirements and the legal obligations we have, go to this link on our Diocesan website for the Memorandum of Understanding between the County Prosecutors and the Dioceses of New Jersey, click the link above.