Our purpose is to provide a compassionate and proper response to anyone who has experienced abuse - no matter when or where it happened - from a person in a position of trust within the Roman Catholic Church.

We want to listen to and respond to anyone who comes forward directly or indirectly through family or a friend. We recognize that reporting an experience of abuse is not easy, so we have established a process that is as safe and confidential as possible.

Here's how the process begins:
If you or anyone you know has experienced abuse from within the Church because of misconduct by a priest, deacon, sister, brother, employee or volunteer - no matter when or where it may have happened - call (520) 623-0344 or 1-800-234-0344.

That is the number for Catholic Community Services in Tucson. The number will answer with a recorded message that directs anyone wanting to contact the Victim Assistance Program to press "3."

By pressing "3," you will be connected to the Victim Assistance Program.

You will have the opportunity to talk to a caring person who is specially trained to listen to you. This person will help you make a report of abuse, tell you about special support services and try to answer any questions you may have.

To ensure that a report of abuse has been made to law enforcement, information you provide is forwarded to the Pima County Attorney's Office and, when indicated, to other law enforcement agencies. In addition, you are encouraged to make an independent report to the appropriate law enforcement agency.

If you are not ready to make a report, you still are welcome to call the Victim Assistance Program to ask questions.

If you have experienced abuse from someone within the Church, please know that we care, that we want to help and that we are sorry for what has been done to you.