Report Abuse

The Archdiocese of Baltimore complies with Maryland laws requiring reporting suspected child abuse to law enforcement. Under Maryland Law any person who has reason to believe a child has been subjected to abuse must report the suspected abuse to law enforcement, even if the potential victim is now over 18 years old and even in cases where the alleged perpetrator is deceased. To make a report, click here.

If someone associated with the Church, including clergy, employees, or volunteers of the Archdiocese of Baltimore, is suspected of abuse, then the suspected abuse must also be reported to the Archdiocesan Office of Child and Youth at 410-547-5348 or the Victims Assistance Line at 1-866-417-7469.

If you have reason to believe that a bishop has engaged in child sexual abuse or other sexual misconduct*, or has interfered with an investigation into sexual misconduct, please click here. To view a detailed description of the archdiocesan protocols for receiving and investigating a report of abuse by a bishop, click here. 

Report Ethical Violations

The Archdiocese of Baltimore is committed to ethical behavior and accountability. To make a report regarding violations of ethical behavior, visit the secure EthicsPoint site here.

Categories for reporting include: accounting/financial; confidentiality; fraud/theft; gifts/donations; harassment/inappropriate behavior; misuse of resources; workplace safety; child and youth protection and school safety.

The Archdiocese of Baltimore takes seriously all allegations of sexual abuse against members of its clergy and publicly names those members of the clergy credibly accused of child sexual abuse. The list is regularly updated as new allegations arise or new information comes to light. 

All allegations of child sexual abuse are reported to law enforcement regardless of credibility, and victims are offered counseling assistance with a counselor of their own choosing.

The Independent Review Board, made up mostly of lay people and headed by Judge Joseph F. Murphy, is an interfaith group including representatives from the legal community and law enforcement, health care, academia and social work.

Board members review individual allegations of abuse and help shape archdiocesan child protection policies.

“They make sure that we actually live up to our policies … to make sure that we are living up to the promises of our policy and of the charter,” said Jerri Burkhardt, director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection for the archdiocese.

Independent Review Board Members

WYPR Interview

Archbishop William E. Lori was a guest on WYPR’S “Midday” program, discussing the meeting of U.S. Catholic bishops in Baltimore and the Catholic Church’s response to the sexual abuse crisis. Click play on the accompanying video link.

Other News Coverage