• Everyone is a permissive reporter and is encouraged to make a report of suspected child abuse. Reporters of suspected child abuse fall into two categories. 
• Mandated reporters are those adults who come into direct contact with children in the course of their employment or volunteer of a regularly scheduled program or activity, who accepts responsibility for a child.
• The trigger to report is a reasonable suspicion that a child is being abused.  Permissive reporters may report anonymously; mandated reporters may not.

• Reports of suspected child abuse are to be made immediately.
• If the child is in imminent danger, call 911
• Reports may be made orally by phone or electronically
  • Oral reports are made to ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313 which is available 24/7
  • Electronic reports are made via CWIS Self-Service portal at www.compass.state.pa.us/cwis
• Inform the supervisor or person in charge of your program that a report was made

To report church-related abuse to the Diocese of Pittsburgh call: 
1-888-808-1235

Clergy Abuse Hotline: 1-888-538-8541

Diocesan Victim Assistance Coordinator:
412-456-3093

Call 911 immediately if a child is in immediate danger.

The Diocesan Safe Environment Policy was created to take reasonable measures to assure that all clergy, staff, and volunteers over 18 are committed to providing a safe environment for children and youth, are capable of identifying and preventing abuse of children, and have no personal history of behavior that would be a threat to children. Some of the vetting requirements are unique to the Church, while others are required by State and Federal law. Although these are a lot of requirements, history shows that no effort can be spared in protecting the most vulnerable among us.

Below are the steps a volunteer needs to take in order to satisfy all safe environment requirements. Anyone who is not "tech savvy," or who finds these steps too complicated, is more than welcome to work through the parish safe environment coordinator. They assist volunteers all the time, and would be more than happy to help you. You can find their contact information in the left hand column.

1. GETTING ON TO THE DIOCESAN DATABASE AND INITIATING A PA CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECK

Please CLICK HERE to access the online application. Follow the instructions to create a user ID and password. When asked for the access code to create the username and password, type in protect. Once your username and password is created, log in and complete all the steps.

2. PA CHILD ABUSE HISTORY CLEARANCE

Please CLICK HERE to access the online application, and follow these steps:

• Click on CREATE INDIVIDUAL ACCOUNT
• Enter a Keystone ID – this is your user name
• After completing the first page, you will receive an email with a temporary password. Follow the instructions to continue completing the application.

• When asked which organization you belong to, select Pittsburgh, PA (Diocese)
• When asked your primary location, select whichever parish you are registered at.
• When asked which training you wish to attend, scroll to the bottom to click Protecting God’s Children for Adults (Online Training).