Abuse and Harm Procedures
Abuse Complaints to be dealt with by National Office for Professional Standards
The Catholic Diocese of Dunedin takes all complaints of abuse and harm seriously.
We encourage anyone who has been abused by a priest, religious, a volunteer or employee of the diocese to make contact with us, for your story to be heard and your complaint to be investigated.
Alternately you may choose to go directly to the Police or to Oranga Tamariki, and the Church will support anyone who requires assistance to do this.
If you want to raise a concern or a complaint about harm or abuse involving someone within the Church, please contact the National Office for Professional Standards on 0800 114 622 or prof.standards@nzcbc.org.nz.
For our full complaints and concerns policy click here >>
Below is a flowchart for our complaints and concerns process dealing specifically about Harm or Abuse involving someone within the Church.
Dunedin Diocese Process to be Followed when a Complaint is Received
To be used in conjunction with NOPS Complaints and concerns policy and Complaints flow chart.
NOPS Complaints Procedure Information for reporting sexual abuse and misconduct by clergy or religious
The National Office for Professional Standards is responsible for ensuring that all complaints of sexual abuse or sexual misconduct by clergy or members of a religious order are dealt with in accordance with a protocol called Te Houhanga Rongo - A Path to Healing (full document below). Click here to the complaints process summary.
Principles and procedure for responding to complaints of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct against clergy or religious in the Catholic Church in Aotearoa New Zealand. Read full document here.