Diocese of Alexandria-Cornwall
 
Diocesan Guidelines on Sexual Abuse by Priests, Deacons, Seminarians
 and Pastoral Assistants
 
Phase I - Recieving a complaint
 
The first person recieving a complaint has to report it immediately to the 
Children's Aid Society, if the victim is under 16 years of age at the time 
of the offence, or to the police. The person recieving the complaint should 
not accept nor withhold any material proof. He writes personal notes about 
the reception of the complaint. 
 
Phase II - Informing the Bishop of the Diocese
 
The Bishop is informed of the complaint that was recieved.   
 
Phase III - Investigation by the proper authority
 
This phase is the responsibility of the C.A.S. and the police in regards to any 
charges.
 
Phase IV - Decision of the Bishop
 
The Bishop waits for the investigation to take place. If the situation warrants it, 
(because there is a risk to the alleged aggressor, or the possibility of a risk to 
other members of the community, because the events have become public, 
because charges will be laid, because a trial will take place) the Bishop removes 
the suspected aggressor from Church duties.
 
Phase V - Offering to help
 
Depending on the circumstances, help and support is offered to the alleged victim 
and his family, taking into consideration the guidelines given by the C.A.S. and the 
police.
 
N.B.  These guidelines have been drawn up in consultation with the C.A.S. of 
Cornwall and both the O.P.P. and Cornwall Police.
 
Approved by: (signed Eugene LaRocque)
Date: June (day can't be made out), 1995