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If you’ve been sexually exploited or abused by a priest, brother, sister or lay person employed by the Diocese of Wilmington or by a church volunteer in service to a parish or school or other church organization; we want to help you.
We realize that bringing a misconduct complaint to authorities and/or to the Diocese of Wilmington can be a frightening experience and we want to make the process as safe and as comfortable as possible. We promise to be open and respectful of your complaint
We are sorry for the pain you have experienced.
How to bring a complaint:
Please keep in mind that we are required by law to report the abuse of someone who is currently under 18 years of age to the proper authorities.
For victims who are now over the age of 18, we strongly encourage you to report the abuse to the proper authorities.
Delaware: Attorney General’s Office
Maryland: State’s Attorney’s Office of the county in which the abuse took place
How to notify the Diocese of Wilmington:
Call the diocesan Survivor Assistance Coordinator, Beth Krieger at 302-656-0651. Ms. Krieger will take the information about the abuse, offer personal counseling and will ask your permission to advise church officials, specifically the Vicar General of the Diocese, about your complaint
We can also help you bring your complaint to church officials outside the Diocese of Wilmington if the abuse occurred in another diocese or church jurisdiction and you now reside in Delaware or on Maryland’s Eastern Shore.
Click here to learn about what the Diocese of Wilmington does with reports of sexual abuse.
Other types of assistance:
Whether you suffered abuse by a church employee or volunteer or anyone else, we can help in other ways. One way is through our Victims' Support Groups. The Catholic Diocese of Wilmington sponsors four support groups for adult survivors of sexual abuse, past or present, in Delaware and Maryland’s Eastern Shore. The Support for Sexual Abuse Survivors Group sessions, conducted by Behavioral Health Services of Catholic Charities, Inc., run for ten consecutive weekly evening sessions at Catholic Charities locations in Wilmington, Dover and Georgetown, Delaware and Salisbury, Maryland. The ten-session program is offered five times throughout the year in each location. Experienced behavioral health professionals facilitate each session.
Participation in these sessions is open to anyone who has been a victim of sexual abuse.
Some of the issues explored include dealing with anxiety, values and self-esteem, understanding myths and facts about sexual abuse, gaining control of feelings and developing healthy relationships. Any adult who needs support dealing with sexual abuse issues and wants to learn how to manage feelings and become empowered to take control over their lives is encouraged to attend.
For more information or to enroll in the Support for Sexual Abuse Survivors Group, call the Catholic Charities intake department in Wilmington at 302-656-0651, in Dover at 302-674-1600, in Georgetown at 302-856-9578 or Salisbury at 410-749-1121. Catholic Charities also provides referrals to those who may wish services from other organizations.
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