Reporting Suspected Abuse

If you suspect abuse of a child or a vulnerable adult (or has been abused), call proper law enforcement or the Washington State DSHS hotline no later than 48 hours. 1-866-END-HARM

Abuse refers to an intentional act committed by a person in a position of trust which harms of threatens to harm a minor (under age 18) or vulnerable adult’s physical or mental awareness.

Please remember that it is not your job to decide if the situation you have identified is abuse or not. The authorities you call will make that decision based upon their own investigations. If you suspect or have reasonable belief that abuse has occurred, call the appropriate authorities.

It is the policy of the Archdiocese of Seattle that all of the following groups are required to follow the mandated guidelines for reporting suspected abuse of the vulnerable population.

• Priests
• Deacons
• Employees
  • All Parish Personnel
  • All School Personnel
  • All Chancery Personnel
  • All employees of any agency of the Archdiocese of Seattle
• Volunteers
  • Catechists
  • Coachers
  • Scout Leaders
  • Youth Leaders
  • Any individual who have ongoing, unsupervised contact with minors or vulnerable adults

Be sure you have as much information about the victim as possible including:

• Name
• Age (approximates if OK)
• Address
• Telephone Number
• Name of Parent of Guardian
• Nature of Abuse
• Name/Address/Number of Abuse

Anyone under the age of 18.

• Any person over 60 who is unable to care for him or herself
• Certain individuals with developmental disabilities
• Anyone over 18 who has a legal guardian
• Individuals receiving in-home care through licensed health, hospice or home health care agency or from an aide hired on their own

If the alleged abuse involves Archdiocesan personnel-priest, deacons, teachers, employees or volunteers at school or parishes- please call the Archdiocese of Seattle within 48 hours of leaning of alleged abuse.

1-800-446-7762

IF YOU ARE CALLING ABOUT AN IMMEDIATE LIFE THREATENING EMERGENCY CALL 911.