If you or someone you know has an allegation of sexual abuse by a member of the Poor Handmaids of Jesus Christ, please reach out to your local authorities immediately.
The Indiana Department of Child Services has a Child Abuse Hotline, to report child abuse or neglect to DCS, call 1 (800) 800-5556. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.
The Poor Handmaids are committed to treating every accusation with the upmost care and respect. We are here to listen and help, to report an abuse, please call 574-935-1757 or email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Policy
RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL MISCONDUCT
POLICY STATEMENT:
Poor Handmaids bring the good news of God’s love to people and strive to further a sense of human dignity and mutual respect in their areas of ministry. Constitution: p. 20
In the light of this commitment Poor Handmaids consider any allegation of sexual misconduct by a PHJC involving a minor to be a serious matter. It is not in keeping with the Gospel or with religious life. Such misconduct is never condoned.
Desire to foster healing and console hurt that occurs in cases of sexual misconduct. The Province will respond to allegations of sexual misconduct with a minor by a Sister insofar as the members are able. The Provincial/Pro-Regional Superior’s immediate willingness to respond to the allegation and provide assistance does not reflect a judgment as to the accused Sister’s guilt or innocence.
Therefore this policy will be applied whenever a member of the congregation is accused of engaging in sexual misconduct toward a minor. A designated person will intervene appropriately to protect the civil and canonical rights of all individuals involved as well as facilitate justice and healing.
When there is an accusation of sexual misconduct involving a minor, the congregation will respond sensitively and directly to those making the accusation and to the Sister accused. In such cases, the appropriate civil authorities will be notified as a firm matter of policy.
This policy applies to all novices and professed members of the Poor Handmaid of Jesus Christ or other PHJCs who are working or studying in the country.
The congregation commits itself to protecting the confidentiality, privacy and canonical and civil rights of the victim and the accused during the investigation.
Records of the allegation and the follow up will be maintained for an appropriate period of time. This policy also applies, as appropriate, to sexual exploitation of a "vulnerable adult."
