Complaints of Clergy Abuse

The California Department of Justice is seeking information on reports of abuse by members of the clergy or religious organizations within California. We have established a complaint process to report incidents of abuse.

Information provided through this complaint process will be reviewed by the California Department of Justice. Information is confidential under California law but may be shared with law enforcement. If you would like to submit information but do not wish to use the complaint form, please email ClergyAbuse@doj.ca.gov. We recommend you also provide information on potential criminal conduct to local law enforcement directly. If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, please contact local law enforcement by calling 9-1-1.

Please note that a complaint submitted here does not excuse any mandatory reporter listed in Penal Code § 11166.7 from complying with the Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act.

Please also note: The California Department of Justice cannot answer legal questions or give legal advice to individuals and does not generally intervene in individual cases. However, we thoroughly review each and every complaint submitted to our office and, where appropriate, we may refer complaints to local authorities.

Your Information

First Name *

Middle Initial

Last Name *

Street Address *

Address Line 2

City *

State *

Zip Code *

Email *

Telephone Number

Date of Birth

Month

Day

Year

Your complaint

Are you a victim of abuse or a witness to abuse? *

Are you a victim of abuse or a witness to abuse? Other...

Are you represented by an attorney in this matter? *

Name of attorney

Who is the subject of your complaint (if known)?

Name(s) *

Religious institution/organization/entity *

Current location(s) of subject(s) of complaint (if known)

Incident(s) of abuse by subject(s) of this complaint:

Where did the incident(s) of abuse occur? Include name of religious institution/organization/entity and city.

What approximate year(s) did the incident(s) of abuse occur? What was the approximate age of the victim at the time the incident(s) occurred (your age if you were the victim)?

Describe the incident(s) of abuse.

Was/were incident(s) previously reported to law enforcement?

If you answered yes, what agency or agencies received the report(s)?

List year(s) when report(s) was/were made.

Was an investigation conducted?

Was/were incident(s) previously reported to a mandatory reporter, including someone who worked at a religious institution/organization/entity, child welfare services, or a therapist?

If you answered yes, who received the report, where did they work, and when was the report made?

Please provide names and contact information of any witnesses to the abuse.

Department of Justice Role Disclaimer

In sending this complaint, I understand that the Department of Justice cannot answer legal questions or give legal advice to me and cannot act as my personal lawyer. I also understand that the Department of Justice may not intervene in an ongoing proceeding. I also understand that the Department of Justice may need to refer my complaint to a more appropriate agency.

By checking this box, I attest to the best of my ability and knowledge that the information above is accurate. I understand that any information I submit is confidential under California law but may be shared with law enforcement. *

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Complaints of Clergy Abuse