Safe Enviroment Weekly Update: 6/27/2022
Did you know.. In addition to notifying the police, there are laws that require a report to the Department of Social Services.
ELDER ABUSE UNDER CONNECTICUT LAW Under Connecticut law (CGS §§ 17a-412) and (CCGS 17b-450) elder abuse includes, but is not limited to, the willful infliction of physical pain, injury or mental anguish, or the willful deprivation by a caretaker of services which are necessary to maintain physical and mental health. Elder abuse also includes neglect, exploitation, and/or abandonment of an elderly (ages 60+) person. When the Commissioner of Social Services receives a report that an elderly person has been abused, neglected, exploited or abandoned, or is in need of protective services, he or she orders an evaluation of the situation and the condition of the elderly person. A written evaluation includes recommended actions and a determination of whether protective services are needed. The person who reported the elderly abuse will be notified of the findings, upon request.
MANDATED REPORTING When any mandated reporter has reasonable cause to suspect or believes that someone age 60 or over (1) has been abused, neglected, exploited, or abandoned, or is in a condition caused by one of these or (2) is in need of protective services (services designed to protect elderly individuals from such harm), he/she must report this to the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS), Protective Services for the Elderly (PSE) People who are not mandated to report, but who suspect abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment of an older adult are encouraged, but not required by law, to also report to DSS Protective Services for the Elderly (PSE). https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/Departments-and-Agencies/DSS/Social-Work-Services/psebrochure.pdf
To report abuse of a minor or vulnerable adult or an incident of child pornography in the Diocese of Bridgeport involving any person from the Church, call DCF at: 1.800.842.2288 and Erin Neil, L.C.S.W. at: 203.650.3265 or Michael Tintrup L.C.S.W. at: 203.241.0987. You may also contact a Third-Party reporting hotline at: www.lighthouse-services.com/diobpt or call: 833.990.0004or fill out a written report of abuse or neglect at the following link: www.bridgeportdiocese.org/safe-environments/incident-report-of-an-allegation-of-abuse-or-misconduct.