Photo by PoPville Flickr user Nathan Castellanos
From an email:
“I wanted to let you know that Attorney General Karl A. Racine, speaking moments ago at the Mayor-Council Breakfast, announced that our office has begun investigating the Catholic Archdiocese of Washington regarding clergy abuse.
Here is the relevant portion of his remarks:
“While we generally don’t talk publicly about our confidential enforcement activity, I can report that our office has launched a civil investigation into whether the Archdiocese – which is a nonprofit institution – violated the District’s Nonprofit Act by potentially covering up allegations of sexual abuse of minors. According to the law, nonprofits are required to work for a public purpose; if they are in fact covering up child sex abuse, that is clearly not in the public interest. Our investigation brings the count of states with open investigations to 14.”
In addition, AG Racine announced a new portal for victims of clergy abuse in DC to report their abuse to our office. Below is a post about it that has just gone live on our blog (available online here).
New Way for Victims to Report Sex Abuse by Clergy
The news and public outcry about the allegations that more than a thousand children were sexually abused by clergy in Pennsylvania has led to more victims and survivors wanting to come forward with their accounts. Today, the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) launched an online complaint form for victims to report their abuse.
If you are a victim of child sexual abuse by clergy or have knowledge of such abuse, report it to OAG atwww.ReportClergyAbusetoDCOAG.com
OAG will review all allegations as part of its ongoing investigation into whether the Archdiocese of Washington covered up allegations of sexual abuse of minors. Where appropriate, OAG will also refer information to the proper criminal authorities.
Adults Are Required to Report Suspected Child Abuse Immediately
Under D.C. law, any adult who knows, or has reasonable cause to believe that a child under 16 is a victim of sexual abuse must immediately report it to the police (911) or the District’s Child and Family Services Agency (202-671-SAFE).
For certain people who regularly work with children – including teachers, school officials, health care workers, and daycare workers – D.C. law requires you to be a “mandated reporter” for suspected child abuse or neglect of ANY KIND and for certain other injuries to children under the age of 18.
OAG has the authority to bring charges leading to fines and/or jail time against teachers, doctors, and other people who are required to report suspected child abuse but fail to do so.
More information about the District’s mandated reporting requirements for child abuse at https://oag.dc.gov/public-safety/reporting-child-abuse-what-know.
How to Report Sex Abuse by Clergy to the U.S. Attorney’s Office
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia (USADC) has also launched a hotline and email address for those survivors and other victims to report their abuse: Call 202-252-7008 or email [email protected].”