Diocese of Columbus Child Protection Plan
It is the goal of the Diocese of Columbus to make the Church a place of safety: a place of prayer, ministry and comfort. Everyone who enters our churches, schools, or facilities must be confident in this. Not one child or young person should suffer from abuse while at Church. In order to assure the safety of our youth, the Diocese of Columbus has enacted a complete program of protection. As part of this program, the Diocese of Columbus will provide appropriate, just, and pastoral care for anyone who has suffered the crime of sexual abuse of a minor at the hands of diocesan clergy or church employees or volunteers. The Diocese of Columbus will report any and all allegations of abuse reported to it to the authorities and will cooperate fully with those authorities.
Help is available:
The Diocese of Columbus wants to hear from anyone who has suffered. If you wish to report an allegation of abuse or need pastoral and/or clinical care in order to begin or continue the process of healing from sexual abuse as a child at the hands of a member of the clergy or a church employee or volunteer, simply call the diocesan Victims’ Assistance Coordinator. You can find contact information at the bottom of this notice. If you wish to receive a copy of the diocesan complaint form or any of the diocesan policies and procedures, simply call the number below or visit the diocesan web site at www.columbuscatholic.org
To contact the diocesan Victim’s Assistance Coordinator, call: Laura J. Lewis, M.A., L.P.C.C.-S
866-448-0217 •helpisavailable@columbuscatholic.org