Reporting Sexual Abuse or Misconduct

Anyone who has reason to believe or suspects that a child has been or is being abused should report their suspicions to civil authorities and then to the diocese’s Office for the Protection of Children & Vulnerable Adults (OPCVA) at 408-983-0113. Parish and school personnel, including clergy, are “Mandated Reporters” and are required by state law to report abuse, even a reasonable suspicion of abuse, to civil authorities – Law Enforcement or Child Protective Services. The Diocese of San Jose reports all allegations to the civil authorities, in accordance with mandated reporter laws.

If an adult victim/survivor is looking to report a case of Clergy Abuse, we encourage them to take the following steps. 1) First, contact their local civil authorities. 2) Once a report is filed with the local civil authorities, individuals are encouraged to contact the diocese’s Office for the Protection of Children & Vulnerable Adults at 408-983-0113. All reports are confidential to protect the rights of the victim. Reports to the diocese are accepted by either online submission or by phone. 

Diocese of San Jose’s Victim Assistance Coordinator Contact Information
Griselda Cervantez: Phone 408-983-0225 | Email griselda.cervantez@dsj.org

 

Online Reporting of Sexual Abuse or Misconduct Available in English, Spanish & Vietnamese

For online submission, please click on button below by language to access our secure third-party reporting server: opcva.ethicspoint.com or contact our toll-free 24 hour reporting hotline at 1-844-372-1691. 

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Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service

To report an incident of sexual abuse and related misconduct by a bishop, please contact the Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service (CBAR) at ReportBishopAbuse.org or call 1-800-276-1562.

The Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service will receive and relay those reports to the proper Church authorities for investigation.  Where a report includes a crime, such as the sexual abuse of a minor, it will also be reported to civil authorities.  Otherwise, reports will be kept confidential.

If you suspect child abuse involving any diocesan clergy, personnel, or volunteer please report it immediately to civil authorities and to the Office for the Protection of Children & Vulnerable Adults for the Diocese of San José at 408-983-0113 or use the diocese’s secure online reporting service, opcva.ethicspoint.com or call 1-844-372-1691.

CBAR Informational Flyer
English | Spanish

CBAR Frequently Asked Questions
English | Spanish

CBAR Metropolitan Explanation
English | Spanish

Mandated & Ethical Reporting Information

Volunteers of the Diocese of San Jose are considered “Ethical Reporters,” as opposed to employees who are “Mandated Reporters.” It is the responsibility of each Ethical Reporter to comply with the diocese’s expectations to assist in the protection of youth and vulnerable adults, which requires all volunteers to report any suspicions and/or awareness of abuse to a diocesan staff member on site, who is then responsible for reporting the incident to the appropriate authorities immediately (or as soon as practically possible within 24 hours).

The Diocese of San Jose reports all allegations to the civil authorities, in accordance with mandated reporter laws regardless if the priest is a diocesan priest or religious order priest.

To Report Abuse: Mandated Reporters will need to provide the following information to authorities as available: victim name, age and contact information; alleged offender name and contact information; location(s) and date(s) of the alleged incident(s); and an incident statement. If this is a life-threatening emergency, CALL 9-1-1.

  1. Within 24 hours: Make a formal report to authorities via telephone:
  2. Within 36 Hours: Submit a written report to agency via fax or mail
      • Child Abuse Reporting Form SS8572 | Fax 408-975-5851
      • Elderly Abuse Reporting Form SOC341 | Fax 408-975-4910
      • Elderly Financial Abuse Reporting Form SOC342
  3. Submit Report To: Santa Clara County Child Abuse or Adult Protective Services
      • Santa Clara County Department of Family & Children’s Services – Child Abuse & Neglect Center
        Email: SSA_CANC_eFAX@ssa.sccgov.org or click here
        Mail: Department of Family & Children’s Services
        Attn: Child Abuse & Neglect Center (CANC)
        373 W. Julian St., San Jose, CA 95110
      • Mail: Santa Clara County Adult Protective Services
        333 West Julian St., San Jose, CA 95110