Virginia’s Attorney General has received multiple reports of sexual abuse by Catholic clergy in the state. His office is investigating, and announced Wednesday a new hotline in hopes of receiving further tips.
Attorney General Mark Herring says the investigation here was launched this summer, shortly after a grand jury report in Pennsylvania revealed decades of abuse and cover-up in that state.
“If there has been abuse or cover up in Virginia, as there was in Pennsylvania, I want to know about it. I want to root it out,” Herring said during a press conference Wednesday. “And I want survivors to get justice, and get on to a path of healing.”
Herring also announced a new anonymous tip line, both online and by phone. The line will be open 24/7 and staffed by state police investigators.
“It’s certainly an unusual step to announce an ongoing investigation, that’s not something that law enforcement agencies usually do,” Herring said. “But in this instance, in this situation, we need the public’s help to get to the truth.”
Virginia joins multiple other states in investigating the Catholic Church. Herring says church officials have been cooperative so far.
In a statement, both of Virginia's Catholic dioceses urged survivors to report via the hotline.
"Any instance of child sexual abuse is intolerable and gravely immoral," reads the statement. "We hope that this process will bring healing for all victims and confirm our commitment to accountability and justice."
You can find out more at virginiaclergyhotline.com
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
