Report Abuse

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

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 or visit www.reportbishopabuse.org.

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

Videos

Archbishop Lori addresses preliminary report on Bishop Michael Bransfield

Archbishop William E. Lori addresses preliminary report following an investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct and financial improprieties against Bishop Michael J. Bransfield, former bishop of the Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston, W.Va. (June 7, 2019)

Archbishop Lori Hosts Media Briefing

Archbishop William E. Lori hosted a media briefing Jan. 15 at the Catholic Center in Baltimore to discuss the Archdiocese of Baltimore’s ongoing response to the clergy sexual abuse crisis. (Jan. 15, 2019)

Message from Archbishop Lori

Archbishop William E. Lori discusses the Church’s response to the ongoing sexual abuse crisis. (Aug. 29, 2018)

Catholic Baltimore Radio Interviews

Dr. Thomas Plante

Dr. Thomas Plante, a professor of psychology at Santa Clara University and adjunct clinical professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University School of Medicine, discusses misconceptions about clergy sexual abuse. Listen above.

The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People

Jerri Burkhardt, director of the archdiocesan Office of Child and Youth Protection, speaks about the charter for the protection of children in a Sept. 24, 2017 radio interview. Listen above.