The Office of Child and Youth Protection offers our unwavering commitment to ensure every child is safe, valued, and protected from harm. We strive to create environments rooted in trust, healing, and accountability. Through proactive prevention, education, and compassionate support, we work to protect against abuse and promote lasting safety within our community.

Our Commitment:

• Comply with the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People.
• Reach out to victims and their families and demonstrate a sincere commitment to their spiritual and emotional well-being.
• Educate children about their rights to a safe environment and empower them to speak up.
• Train adults to recognize warning signs, to report suspicions of sexual abuse and foster safe environments for children.
• Report all allegations of sexual abuse to civil authorities.
• Investigate all allegations of sexual abuse of a minor against clerics, employees and volunteers of the diocese, providing findings to the Independent Review Board for recommendations to the Bishop.

Guiding Principles:

• Integrity
• Empowerment
• Confidentiality
• Accountability
• Transparency
• Spirituality

The Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph is committed to combatting abuse in the Church. If you are a victim of abuse, or if you observe or suspect abuse:

1. Call the Missouri Child Abuse Hotline at 1.800.392.3738 (if the victim is currently under the age of 18).
2. Call the Kansas Child Abuse & Neglect Hotline: 1.800.922.5330
3. Contact your local law enforcement agency or call 911.
4. Call the Diocese Ombudsman:  816.213.6024

The Diocese has a sincere commitment to providing care and healing resources to victims of abuse and their families.

Please contact the Victim Advocate at 816.714.2357 ext 516 or victimadvocate@diocesekcsj.org for more information.