Report Abuse of a Minor who is now an Adult

Any adult who was abused as a minor is urged to:

1. report the abuse to a local or state law enforcement agency; and
2. file a Notice of Concern with the Diocese of Austin if the abuser is now or was at the time of the abuse a member of Church personnel, a volunteer in ministry, or an independent contractor involved in ministry.

Any person who has cause to believe that an adult was a victim of abuse as a minor, and determines in good faith that the disclosure of the possible abuse is necessary to protect the health or safety of a person who is currently a minor, elderly adult, or adult with a disability, must report the possible abuse to:

1. any local or state law enforcement agency; or
2. the Texas Department of Family & Protective Services (DFPS) by calling the 24-hour abuse hotline at 1-800-252-5400 or filing a report on the website at www.txabusehotline.org; and,
3. the reporter is urged to file a Notice of Concern with the Diocese of Austin if the abuser is now or was at the time of the abuse a member of Church personnel, a volunteer in ministry, or an independent contractor involved in ministry.

         If an adult who was a victim of abuse as a minor does not wish to report the prior abuse,         the privacy of the adult must be respected unless otherwise required to protect the health or
safety of a person who is currently a minor, elderly adult, or an adult with a disability.