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 2002 (Revised 2005 and 2010): "The first obligation of the Church with regard to victims/survivors is healing and reconciliation. Each diocese 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". 

Article 1. "Dioceses will reach out to victims/survivors and their families and demonstrate a sincere commitment to their spiritual and emotional well-being."

Article 2. "Dioceses are to have a competent person or persons to coordinate assistance for the immediate care of persons who report having been sexually abused as minors by clergy or other church personnel."