If you know or suspect that anyone under the age of 18 is a victim of abuse or neglect, you should report it to the proper civil authorities immediately. All cases should be reported to the Department of Children and Families (DCF). If you are observing life-threatening abuse, first call 911 or your local police.
Anyone can file a report of suspected abuse or neglect. All clergy, employees, and volunteers of the Archdiocese of Boston are required to report suspected child abuse or neglect to DCF. The report must be made immediately by phone with a written report submitted within 48 hours.
To report suspected child abuse or neglect call:
Massachusetts Department of Children and Families:
https://www.mass.gov/how-to/report-child-abuse-or-neglect
DCF office listed by town with phone number: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2020/01/16/Cities%20and%20Towns%20by%20Area%20Office%20-%20updated%202.6.17%20%289%29.pdf
Child at Risk Hotline #: 1-800-792-5200 (for after-hours reports)
Rhode Island Department of Child, Youth, and Families
https://dcyf.ri.gov/contact-us/report-child-abuse-or-neglect
1-800-742-445
New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services
https://www.dhhs.nh.gov/report-concern/report-child-abuse
1-603-271-6562
Suspected child abuse by Archdiocesan personnel or volunteers, while performing the work of the Archdiocese, must also be reported to the diocese. Contact the Director of Professional Standards and Oversight at 617-746-5624 or the Office of Pastoral Support and Child Protection at 617-746-5985.
Mandated Reporters
The state of Massachusetts includes the following in their list of mandated reporters:
“Clergy members, including ordained or licensed leaders of any church or religious body, persons performing official duties on behalf of a church or religious body, or persons employed by a religious body to supervise, educate, coach, train, or council a child on a regular basis.”
https://www.mass.gov/doc/dcf-mandated-reporter-guide/download
Mandated reporters are required to submit a written report within 48 hours of calling in a child abuse report. Save a copy of the written report for your files and submit a copy to the Office of Pastoral Support and Child Protection.
Fax #: 617-746-5989.
For questions or help reporting child abuse or neglect, please contact the Office of Pastoral Support and Child Protection at 617-746-5995.