Sexual Abuse Crisis
SJN ACTION
“The Pope has asked for Church leadership to reach out to all members of our Church to dialogue and listen. Here is an article that explains why this Synod could be especially important for abuse victims/survivors.”
Learn how to report sexual abuse via the Diocese of Arlington — reporting forms are available in Akan, Eritrean, English, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Tagalog, and Vietnamese
Diocese of Arlington Child Protection Policy
The SJN ACTION groups meets the first Wednesday of the month at 6:30 p.m. We meet virtually and in-person. Please email sjnaction@gmail.com to participate. All are welcome!

How to Report Abuse and Find Support

For an emergency, call 911|.
Fairfax County Child Protective Services: 703-324-7400
Virginia Child & Adult Protective Services: 800-552-7096
Virginia Clergy Abuse Hotline: 804-674-2000
Fairfax County Police Department: 703-246-7800
Loudoun County Police Department: 703-777-1021
Arlington County Police Department: 703-558-2222
Diocese of Arlington’s Office of Victim Assistance: 703-841-2530
Diocese of Arlington’s Office of Child Protection: 703-841-3847
Victim’s Assistance for the Oblates of St. Francis de Sales: Kate McCauley, LCSW, 571-766-6840 or KateMcCauleyLCSW@gmail.com

Upcoming Events

Award-winning writer Diane Tarantini was born and raised and still resides in West Virginia. In 2021, Tarantini’s children’s book, “The Brave Knight,” was distributed to each of the 7,000+ foster kids in the Mountain State. Her second book, “Everyone Was Silent: A memoir,” released in April 2024. Tarantini is currently a freelance writer for outlets such as the West Virginia Gazette Mail, Metro Magazine, and West Virginia Living Magazine. Tarantini is also a dynamic communicator, speaking at child safety events as well as body safety assemblies in public schools around West Virginia. In addition, she blogs at dianetarantini.com.
Please plan to join us on Thursday, September 12 at 7 p.m. in the Brown-McCarthy Auditorium.
Diane Tarantini will present “What Keeps a Body Safety Educator Awake a Night?” A survivor herself, Diane will speak on how to keep the children you love safe.
The presentation will be available with Spanish translation. Additionally, childcare will also be provided. Please complete the following reservation form and be sure to indicate if you need childcare or Spanish translation. Thank you!
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In response to the summer 2018 revelations about clerical sexual abuse and the listening session held at St. John Neumann Catholic Community on Sept. 27, 2018, a parish ACTION group was formed. The name was taken from the following goals:
  • Advocacy
  • Change
  • Transparency
  • Inclusion
  • ONgoing reform
Our mission encompasses:
  1. Supporting the survivors of clerical abuse
  2. Educating ourselves and our parish to the issues involved in this crisis
  3. Advocating for meaningful laity involvement at all levels of the church hierarchy to ensure accountability and transparency
Read the Statement from the Oblate Priests of St. John Neumann on the sexual abuse crisis
Read the SJN ACTION statement about composer David Haas

Virtual Victim/Survivor Support Group

For those who have experienced sexual abuse by clergy or others as a child or vulnerable adult.
This is an independent, volunteer-based peer support group (not a therapy group) facilitated by Angie Boggs and is open to anyone who participates in a faith community and anyone who does not.
Angie is a Catholic laywoman and circle keeper. She is a bioethicist and board-certified chaplain experienced in addressing secondary traumatic distress and moral distress in a large health system. Angie is a participant in the STAR (strategies for trauma awareness and resilience) program at Eastern Mennonite University and a participant in a survivor support group sponsored by the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. Angie is a member of the St. John Neumann parish ACTION group committed to advocacy and reform.
If you are interested in participating, please email 2020victimssurvivors@gmail.com.
All emails and group participation and discussions are held in confidence.

Other Virtual Victim/Survivor Support Groups

Learn

Resources

How can I take ACTION?

Past Initiatives