Praesidium

Resources for Those Affected by Abuse

Local Resources for Immediate Help:

San Diego Area

Crisis Line- 1-888-724-7420 (info. on mental health help)
Behavioral Health Services– 316 25th St., San Diego. 619-445-6200
Adult Outpatient Psychiatric Services – fees vary – call 619-543-6250
SD County Child Welfare Services & Child Abuse Hotline (24 hours) 800-344-6000
SD County Adult Protective Services 800-339-4661

Los Angeles Area

Child Protection Hotline (24 hours) 800 540-4000
Adult Protective Services (24 hours) 877 477-3646

Ventura County

Child Protective Services (24 hours) 805 654-3200
Adult Protective Services(24 hours) 805 654-3200 or online ReporttoAPS.org

San Francisco Area

Child Protective Services (24 hours) 800 856-5553
Adult Protective Services (24 hours) 800 814-0009Oregon
Child Protective Services 855 503-7233
Adult Protective Services 855 503-7233

Spiritual Directors International. We are an inclusive, global learning community that
advocates for and celebrates the service of spiritual direction, spiritual companionship, and
spiritual guidance. Find local spiritual directors at https://www.sdicompanions.org/.

Not Alone – A Christ Centered Recovery Process for Women Who have Experienced Physical,
Emotional or Sexual Trauma – San Diego based accompaniment.
www.annemarierichardson.com

National Resources:

1 in 6.org If you’re a man who has experienced sexual abuse or assault, you’re not alone. We’re
here to support you in your path to a happier, healthier future.

RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) for an excellent, comprehensive list of national
resources.

The Healing Voices We are a dedicated group of survivors abused by clergy. Our mission is to
reconcile our faith with the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual harm done to us. We wish
to reach out to all who have suffered from any tragic event that has left your hearts broken and
your faith shaken, just like ours. Together, we can raise our voices, tell our stories and provide
healing information to help make our Church and society a better place for all. We invite you to
join us on our collective healing journey.

Maria Goretti Network The Maria Goretti Network family reaches out to abuse victims, their
families, and to those who support our recovery, with God’s love as witnessed in the life of

Maria Goretti.

Men’s Rite of Passage retreats-Fr. Richard Rohr For most men, the question of what it means to
be a man is perplexing. Most men have a longing for the support and guidance of other men in
their journey towards masculinity, maturity, and a deeper experience with the divine. In ancient
cultures, initiation rites and vision quests were used to help boys make the journey into
adulthood. Opening the door to this journey can start with the Men’s Rites of Passage (MROP)
retreat. This retreat can help awaken men to the adventure and mystery of their own
masculinity, their deep spirituality, their potential for leadership, and their life’s purpose.
The ManKind Project The ManKind Project is men’s community for the 21st Century. MKP is a
nonprofit training and education organization with three decades of proven success hosting
life-changing experiential personal development programs for men. MKP supports a global
network of free peer-facilitated men’s groups and supports men in leading lives of integrity,
authenticity, and service.

Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis online support groups for those abused by clergy as
children, as adults, and for family members. Contact Paula Kaempffer, Outreach Coordinator,
612-231-5481, kaempfferp@archspm.org.

Prayer Resources:

Stations of the Cross for Healing from Clergy Sexual Abuse: English – Español
USCCB Rosary for Healing and Protection: English – Español
Prayer for Healing Victims of Abuse (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops)
Books for Healing and Personal Growth (Diocese of San Diego Victim Assistance Coordinator
may have these books to lend, otherwise they can be found online easily)

Veronica’s Veil: Spiritual Companionship for Survivors of Abuse: A Guide for Integrated
Faith with Recovery – by T. Pitt Green
When a Man You Love Was Abused – by Cecil Murphey
Hurting in the Church- A Way Forward for Wounded Catholics – by Fr. Thomas Berg
Not Alone Christ Centered Recovery Process for Women Who have Experienced
Physical, Emotional or Sexual Trauma – by Anne Richardson
Struggles with Porn/Purity/Sexual Health:
Clean Heart Online
Fight the New Drug
Integrity Restored
USCCB Create in Me a Clean Heart Series
Fortify – Quit Porn for Good
Reclaim Sexual Health
nternet Accountability & Filtering- Covenant Eyes

May God bless you on your journey toward health, wholeness, healing and faith.

Assistance for Survivors

The Province recognizes that sexual abuse by Members has devastating consequences for
survivors and their families and the lay and religious communities. We have become
increasingly aware of the effects of this tragic behavior and have developed a steadfast
commitment to helping those affected.

This guide is intended to provide basic information about (1) how the Province defines sexual
abuse (2) what the procedures are for responding to complaints of sexually inappropriate
behavior and sexual abuse, and (3) to whom those subjected to sexual abuse can turn for
help.

Sexual abuse of a minor is sexual contact between a religious and a minor.
Sexual exploitation or sexual abuse can include actions such as:

Sexual touch or other physical contact that makes the person being touched to feel
uncomfortable;
Giving a sexually charged gift (such as lingerie);
A prolonged hug when a brief hug is customary behavior;
Kissing on the lips when a kiss on the cheek would be appropriate;
Showing sexually suggestive objects or pornography;
Sexual intercourse, anal, or oral sex;
Innuendo or sexual talk;
Suggestive comments;
Descriptions of sexual experiences, fantasies, or conflicts; and
Sexual propositions.

To be clear, the Province’s stance is this: sexual abuse of a minor by its Members, employees,
and volunteers is contrary to Catholic morals, doctrine, and canon law. It is never acceptable. It
is entirely the responsibility of the Member to maintain appropriate emotional and sexual
boundaries with those with whom he works and / or serves.

The Province responds to all allegations and reports of sexual abuse with great care. To ensure
that we oversee each report promptly, thoroughly, and compassionately, the Province has
established an Office of Pastoral Outreach. The Survivor Assistance Coordinator is a
professional who will listen to, understand, and offer help, including appropriate psychological
counseling for those affected by sexual abuse by a Member.

The Province, through the Survivor Assistance Coordinator and independent investigators, will
respond swiftly to evaluate and investigate any accusation of sexual abuse by a Member.
The Province, consistent with the directives of the United States Conference of Catholic
Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, has also established a Review
Board. This interdisciplinary board of lay professionals advises the Province on all matters
related to sexual misconduct.

Any Member who is found to have an established allegation of sexual abuse of a minor against
him will be removed from ministry and placed under restrictions to ensure he does not have
unsupervised access to minors.

In addition to establishing procedures for responding to sexual abuse, the Province has
undertaken a series of measures to prevent future incidents of abuse. These include extensive
mandatory psychological evaluation of seminarians and novices before they enter formation
and the provision of continuing education programs for Members about issues of sexuality and
personal conduct. It is our firm belief that Religious must maintain appropriate boundaries with
minors. We call upon those with knowledge of a Member’s inappropriate behavior – whether
past or present – to come forward with this information and prevent further harm. In short, we
ask everyone to join with us to protect the safety of children, women, and men, and with firm
determination, to promote healing where there is pain.

If you or someone you know believes that a Member has violated the boundaries outlined on
this website, we urge you to report such behavior immediately to the Major Superior, and /
or the Survivor Assistant Coordinator. Your case will be managed with the strictest sensitivity
and confidentiality.

This is the contact information for the province.

Office of the Major Superior
The Province of St. Augustine in California
3180 University Avenue
Suite 255
San Diego, CA 92104-2089
(619) 235-0247
Pastoral Outreach Office
Mike Riley

Survivor Assistance Coordinator
Mike@MHRAAdvising.org
(784) 228-0747

IF YOU SUSPECT THAT A MINOR IS BEING ABUSED, REPORT IT DIRECTLY TO THE CIVIL
AUTHORITIES. YOU CAN FIND STATE RELATED REPORTING INFORMATION

How We Respond to a Report

What happens when a person makes a report of sexual abuse to the Province?
Anyone who believes they were the victim of sexual abuse by a member of the Augustinians, or
the church or school staff under the auspices of the Province of St. Augustine in California, may
contact the province’s Major Superior or Survivor Assistance Coordinator, who will promptly
respond. A report may be made regardless of when the abuse occurred. The Survivor Assistance
Coordinator can be reached by calling (784) 228-0747, or by email at Mike@MHRAAdvising.org

The Survivor Assistance Coordinator is an individual, appointed or hired by the Major Superior,
whose primary role is to accompany survivors through the Province’s response to reports and
allegations of abuse. The Survivor Assistance Coordinator is qualified to work with survivors of
abuse, either through their education, training and /or experience.
While the Major Superior may participate in providing a pastoral response, he will not serve as
the Survivor Assistance Coordinator. Additionally, the Survivor Assistance Coordinator is not a
member of the Review Board, nor does he or she fulfill other roles that may present an actual
or perceived conflict of interest. The Survivor Assistance Coordinator may be a Member of the
Province or a layperson. The Survivor Assistance Coordinator maintains a professional
relationship with the survivor and / or family and does not act in an official capacity as his or
her therapist, attorney, or spiritual director.

The Province can assure survivors / victims that the person designated or hired as the Survivor
Assistance Coordinator has prepared himself through education, training, and / or experience
to work with survivors / victims of sexual abuse.

The Survivor Assistance Coordinator seeks to compassionately listen and respond to all callers,
assuring them of our deep concern for their well-being, and accompany the survivors / victims
throughout the process. For those alleging sexual abuse by a clergy member, this process is
followed:

The Survivor Assistant Coordinator’s duties include:
Interviews the person making the report and gathers the pertinent information.
To explain to the survivor, in written or verbal form, the province’s response to the
allegations raised.
Reports all suspected abuse to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
Advises the person to contact the law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction in the
locale where the alleged abuse occurred.
To offer support and professional resources to the survivor, the survivor’s family, and
other affected persons, assisting with referrals to therapists and / or support groups.
Gives the initial information to the proper diocesan officials.

To offer to be present during meetings between the survivor and / or family and the
province, including the Major Superior or other representatives of the Province.
To coordinate all communications between the survivor and / or family and the
Province, keeping all parties apprised of developments and progress in the case.
To help maintain documentation that shows the actions the Province takes in response
to each report or allegation of sexual abuse.

Examples of Sexual Abuse

The Province recognizes that sexual abuse by Members has devastating consequences for
survivors and their families and the lay and religious communities. We have become
increasingly aware of the effects of this tragic behavior and have developed a steadfast
commitment to helping those affected.

This guide is intended to provide basic information about (1) how the Province defines sexual
abuse (2) what its procedures are for responding to complaints of sexually inappropriate
behavior and sexual abuse, and (3) to whom those subjected to sexual abuse can turn to for
help.

Sexual abuse of a minor is sexual contact between a religious and a minor.

Sexual exploitation or sexual abuse can include actions such as:

Sexual touch or other physical contact that makes the person being touched feel
uncomfortable;
Giving a sexually charged gift (such as lingerie);
A prolonged hug when a brief hug is customary behavior;
Kissing on the lips when a kiss on the cheek would be appropriate;
Showing sexually suggestive objects or pornography;
Sexual intercourse, anal , or oral sex;
Innuendo or sexual talk;
Suggestive comments;
Descriptions of sexual experiences, fantasies, or conflicts; and
Sexual propositions.
This is not an exhaustive list.

To be clear, the Province’s stance is this: Sexual abuse of a minor by its Members, employees,
and volunteers is contrary to Catholic morals, doctrine, and canon law. It is never acceptable.
It is entirely the responsibility of the Member to maintain appropriate emotional and
sexual boundaries with those with whom he works and / or serves.

Policy on Abuse of Minors and Vulnerable Adults

Who We Are

The Augustinian vocation is a call from God to community life in which men share with one
another the search for and journey toward communication with God. Augustinians live in the
Church for service of the Church where we are committed to share our search and the fruit of
our communication with fellow Christians on the same journey. And, although we are all weak
human beings “on the way to God,” we realize too that we are expected to be witness of Jesus
to the people we serve.

The Sad Reality
Tragically sometimes a brother fails in his commitment and sins grievously, betraying the trust
given his vocation. When this sin is a sin of sexual abuse, it is doubly abhorrent and deeply
embarrassing to our community. The betrayal of one of our own drives us Augustinians to reach
out to the victim with the compassion that inspires us to share our life with God’s people in the
first place. We are deeply concerned for the healing and reconciliation of our brother, the
sinner who is very sick and in need of help.

In the training of our seminarians and in our continuing renewal of our lives as Augustinians, we
are passionately committed to do all we can to guard against such abuse for the future. For
every past sin, we express our profound sorrow and apologies.

This Policy
This policy deals with sexual misconduct with children, adolescents, and vulnerable adults, as
defined by local statutory law.
This policy details the way complaints about sexual misconduct will be managed.
This policy deals with misconduct by present, deceased, and former Augustinians, as far as that
is possible.
Lay employees in parishes and schools come under diocesan policies.
Our Response
We will communicate in a caring Christian way.
All allegations will be considered important and worthy of study.
All complainants will be assessed carefully for validity and credibility.

Parties will receive prompt and clear communication.
Confidentiality will be maintained as is appropriate.
As part of our pastoral outreach, the Augustinians will offer support for professional help to
those who are hurting when and to what extent it seems appropriate. Our concern will be “how
can we help you?”

In 2006, the Province of St. Augustine in California began working with Praesidium, Inc., a
leader in abuse risk management. For more than 30 years, Praesidium has worked globally with
thousands of organizations across industries to help them assess, prevent, and respond to
sexual abuse of children and vulnerable adults. They are a company whose mission is to help us
protect those in our care from abuse and to help preserve the trust in our ministry.
The Province received it’s first accreditation from Praesidium in 2007, and again in 2010, 2013,
2019, and are undergoing our 5 th accreditation at the present time.

How to Report Abuse

Minors
If you or someone you know was physically or sexually abused as a minor, the first place to file
a report is with law enforcement. Contact the police or sheriff’s department in the city or
county where the abuse occurred. If the abuse occurred in San Diego County, you can also
contact San Diego County Child Welfare Services at 858-560-2191. For Los Angeles County, call
800 540-4000, for San Francisco call 800 856-5553, and for Oregon call 855 503-7233.
If you believe that the suspected abuser is currently a priest in ministry or is an employee or
volunteer in the Diocese, please get in touch with our Survivor Assistance Coordinator
immediately so we can take steps to prevent further abuse.
Survivor Assistance Coordinator

Mike Riley
Mike@MHRAAdvising.org
(784) 228-0747

Senior Citizens & Dependent Adults
If you know or suspect an elderly person or dependent adult is being abused, contact Adult
Protective Services in your area. For San Diego County, telephone 800 339-4661. For
Los Angeles County, telephone 877 477, 3646, for San Francisco, telephone 415 355-6700, and
for Oregon 855 503-7233.

If you are a Mandated Reporter
Physicians, priests, teachers, counselors, and many other professionals are mandated reporters
under California law and are required to report any suspected abuse of minors, senior citizens
and dependent adults. Mandated reporters are required to contact law enforcement or
child/adult protective services and file a written report within 36 hours. To download a
“Suspected Child Abuse Report”. Instructions can be found here. To download a
“Suspected Dependent Adult/Elder Abuse Report”