Providence diocese announces new protocol to report sexual abuse

NBC 10
August 31, 2016

http://turnto10.com/news/local/providence-diocese-announce-new-protocol-to-report-sexual-abuse

In a joint statement, the Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence said it will immediately contact the attorney general's office in addition to law enforcement in the event that sexual abuse of a minor is discovered.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Providence announced Wednesday it is working with the Rhode Island Attorney General’s Office to better report allegations of sexual abuse of a minor.

In a joint statement, the diocese said it will immediately contact the attorney general's office in addition to law enforcement in the event that alleged sexual abuse of a minor is discovered.

Bishop Thomas Tobin said in part the additional measure keeps in step with the diocese’s ongoing effort to ensure safety for minors.

"I believe that the new agreement will serve as a useful model and an inspiration for other organizations in reporting such incidents as well," Tobin said in a statement.

Both parties agreed the extra step will provide more transparency and lead to better investigations of sexual abuse.