STEP ONE:

File a report with Tennessee Department of Children Services over the phone or online.
Phone: 1-877-237-0004
Online Form: Click Here

What information will DCS ask for? Click Here
If you need help filing a report the diocese suggests going to your principal/pastor/administrator or calling the Diocesan Safe Environment Program Administrator at 615-645-9763.

STEP TWO:
After a report has been filed with DCS or Law enforcement as detailed above you should notify the Diocesan Safe Environment Administrator at 615-645-9763.

The Catholic Bishop Abuse Reporting Service has been established to receive reports of sexual abuse and related misconduct by bishops, and to relay those reports to proper Church authorities for investigation. Where a report includes a crime, such as the sexual abuse of a minor, it will also be reported to civil authorities. Otherwise, reports will be kept confidential.

If you have any other kind of complaint about a bishop—such as parish assignments, church closings, or homily contents—please address those directly to your diocesan or eparchial bishop instead.

Sexual abuse by a priest, deacon or a staff member or volunteer of the Church should be reported to the office of Victim Assistance in your local diocese/eparchy. So, to be sure you get the help you need, phone numbers and addresses may be found on the diocesan/eparchial website.

If you are the victim of sexual abuse (or any other crime), please contact local law enforcement.
www.ReportBishopAbuse.org or call 1-800-276-1562.

Abuse of a Professional Relationship

Abuse of a professional relationship relates to inappropriate behaviors in a diocesan entity, that involve Church Personnel 18 years and older, such as, but not limited to:

• Physical or mental abuse
• Racial insults
• Derogatory ethnic slurs
• Hate Speech
• Bullying
• Display of offensive materials
• Sexual advances
• Inappropriate or unwanted touching
• Overt or implied sexual comments, or jokes
• Requests for sexual favors

If you experience, or suspect sexual or non-sexual abuse of a professional relationship by clergy:

• It should be reported to the Bishops office at 615-783-0761.
  

If you experience, or suspect sexual or non-sexual abuse of a professional relationship by a layperson:


• It should be reported to your pastor, principal, executive director, or human resources office depending on the site of the abuse.
  

If the accused is the principal, then the complaint should be filed with the Superintendent of Schools who will then notify the Diocesan Safe Environment Program Administrator.

If the accused is the executive director at a diocesan entity subject to the direct authority of the Bishop, then the complaint should be filed with the Diocesan Safe Environment Program Administrator. (615-645-9763)

Abuse, Mistreatment, or Neglect of a Vulnerable Adult by Church Personnel

Reporting abuse, mistreatment, or neglect of a Vulnerable Adult Tennessee law (TCA 39-15-509) requires any person who has a reasonable suspicion that a Vulnerable Adult is suffering or has suffered abuse, sexual exploitation, neglect, or financial exploitation shall report said knowledge or suspicion to Adult Protective Services:

Website: Click Here
Phone: 1-888-277-8366

APS is not just for the elderly. APS is there to help adults 18 years of age or older who because of a mental or physical impairment or advanced age are unable to care for themselves.

After a report involving Church Personnel has been filed with APS immediately notify the Diocesan Safe Environment Program Administrator at (615)-645-9765.