MADISON, Wis. — Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul says the state’s Department of Justice has received more than 100 reports of clergy and faith leader abuse since opening a statewide inquiry earlier this year.
“Victims services specialists are providing a safe, trusted place to report clergy and faith leader abuse. Many survivors have made reports, and some survivors are reporting abuse for the first time,” Kaul said in a statement. “These reports are a critical part of our review of clergy and faith leader abuse.”
Kaul says the reports his department has received so far have included clergy and faith leaders of multiple religious organizations, as well as some reports of abuse not related to any religious organization.
People who have been abused by a clergy member or faith leader or has had a friend or family member abused can report it online at supportsurvivors.widoj.gov or by calling 1-877-222-2620.
Those who call will be able to talk with a trained victim services professional. Victim advocates or sensitive crimes investigators may follow up on the initial report with trauma-informed interviews, and cases may be referred to local law enforcement and district attorneys for possible charges, but only with the victim’s consent.
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