HOW TO REPORT?
If you suspect that a child or vulnerable adult is being (or has been) abused call the Washington State DSHS hotline within 48
hours of discovering it:
1–866–END–HARM tty accessible (1–866–363–4276)
HOW IS ABUSE DEFINED?
Abuse refers to an intentional act committed by a person in a position of trust which harms or threatens to harm a minor’s
(under age 18) or vulnerable adult’s physical or mental welfare.
WHAT IS A MANDATED REPORTER?
Washington State law requires the reporting of suspected abuse within 48 hours if there is reasonable cause to believe/suspect
abuse has occurred. Persons in helping professions—teachers, doctors, counselors, police officers, social workers, health
professionals—are legally mandated to report suspicions of abuse or neglect to Washington State abuse authorities (RCW 26.44.030).
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 children and vulnerable adults:
Priests (outside of Sacramental Confession)
Deacons
Employees:
All school personnel
Pastoral staff who work with minors or vulnerable adults:
- Children’s choir masters
- RCIA and RCIC instructors
- Religious education staff
- Youth ministers
Volunteers:
Catechists
Coaches
Scout leaders
Youth leaders
And, any other individuals who have regular, ongoing, unsupervised access to minors or vulnerable adults.
Individuals making a good faith report to the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services (DSHS) or local
authorities are protected from retaliatory actions.
WHO ARE VULNERABLE ADULTS?
- Any person over 60 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 a licensed health, hospice or home health care agency or from an aide hired on their own
WHAT TO DO:
If you suspect that a child or vulnerable adult is being (or has been) abused call the Washington State DSHS hotline within 48 hours of
discovering it:
1–866–END–HARM tty accessible (1–866–363–4276)
Be sure that you have as much information about the victim as possible including:
- Name
- Age (approximate is OK)
- Address
- Telephone number
- Name of parent or guardian
- Nature of the abuse
- Name/address/telephone of abuser (if known)
(If your report was made in good faith, you are immune from civil or criminal liability regardless of the outcome of the investigation.)
IF YOU ARE CALLING ABOUT AN IMMEDIATE LIFE-THREATENING EMERGENCY, CALL 9-1-1.
Please Note: If the alleged abuse involves Archdiocesan personnel—priests, deacons, teachers, employees or volunteers at schools or
parishes—please call the Archdiocese of Seattle within 48 hours AFTER you have called 1-866-END-HARM.
ARCHDIOCESE OF SEATTLE HOTLINE: 1-800-446-7762
Or, you may write to the Archbishop at: 710 9th Avenue | Seattle, WA 98104 |
