​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The first obligation of the Church for victims is healing and reconciliation. The archdiocese treats all complaints of sexual misconduct seriously and deals with such allegations in a prompt, confidential, and thorough manner with compassion and consideration for all those involved.

The Office of Victims Assistance​ Ministry of the Archdiocese of Los A​ngeles was created in April 2002 to deal with allegations of past and ​​current sexual abuse by clergy, religious, or lay people who work or volunteer for the archdiocese. The Office of Victims Assistance Ministry is charged with creating a safe and compassionate environment for victims to come forward, while ensuring that civil authorities are notified and victims receive counseling and other assistance in the healing process.

Call the Office of Victims Assistance Ministry at 213-637-7650 or 800-355-2545 to:

• Report misconduct by a priest, deacon, or other person working or volunteering for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles or report misconduct involving a family or similar setting

• Get information about the archdiocese's ongoing commitment, programs, and resources that focus on outreach to victims/survivors of sexual abuse

• Report abuse suffered in another diocese and connect with the victims assistance coordinators in that diocese

In addition to addressing the needs of victims reporting misconduct by a priest, deacon, or other person working or volunteering in the archdiocese, the Office of Victims Assistance Ministry also provides guidance and support when persons report matters of sexual misconduct that involve families and others who may be impacted. In these cases, the Office of Victims Assistance Ministry is available to advise on making mand​ated reports​ of reasonable suspicion of child abuse and to provide referrals and resources to locations and families to help with their healing. The Office of Victims Assistance Ministry is also available to assist when the allegations involve pornography, abuse of the Internet, or cybercrimes.

Parishes, schools, and other locations may receive inquiries about the Archdiocesan Policy and Proce​​dures for Reporting Allegations of Sexual Abuse of Minors to Public Authorities​. The Office of Victims Assistance Ministry can be consulted about:

• Defining the problem of abuse

• Reporting sexual abuse of minors and adults

• Response to complaints of sexual misconduct

• Preventing sexual misconduct