Support for Victims & Survivors

The Archdiocese of San Francisco has established the Office of Child and Youth Protection. This office includes the services of a licensed therapist who serves as Victim Assistance Coordinator (VAC). The VAC, Rocio Rodriguez, LMFT, can be reached at 415-614-5506. This is a secure line answered only by the VAC. The VAC email address is rodriguezr@sfarchdiocese.org.

The Victim Assistance Coordinator is available to help victim/survivors make a formal complaint to the archdiocese and offers pastoral support and assistance with psychotherapy, spiritual direction, and referrals to other supportive services that meet the needs of the individual or family seeking assistance.

In addition, the Archdiocese maintains a Survivor Help Line. This is also a secure line and is monitored/answered by survivors. The Survivor Help Line number is 415-614-5503.

Outreach to victims and survivors is addressed in the USCCB document Promise to Protect; Pledge to Heal – USCCB (updated 2018):
" Article 1. Dioceses/eparchies are to reach out to victims/survivors and their families and demonstrate a sincere commitment to their spiritual and emotional well-being. The first obligation of the Church with regard to the victims is for healing and reconciliation. Each diocese/eparchy is to continue its outreach to every person who has been the victim of sexual abuse as a minor by anyone in church service, whether the abuse was recent or occurred many years in the past. This outreach may include provision of counseling, spiritual assistance, support groups, and other social services agreed upon by the victim and the diocese/eparchy.
 
"Article 2. Dioceses/eparchies are to have policies and procedures in place to respond promptly to any allegation where there is reason to believe that sexual abuse of a minor has occurred. Dioceses/eparchies are to have a competent person or persons to coordinate assistance for the immediate pastoral care of persons who report having been sexually abused as minors by clergy or other church personnel. The procedures for those making a complaint are to be readily available in printed form and other media in the principal languages in which the liturgy is celebrated in the diocese/eparchy and be the subject of public announcements at least annually."