As a Diocese, we are committed to breaking the silence of abuse.  When someone is reporting abuse, we must acknowledge their pain and how difficult it is to talk about it.  False allegations are very rare.  Our initial response to someone who is disclosing abuse for the first time must be compassionate.  For those who need to report abuse, encourage them to contact our Victims Assistance Coordinator, Jacqueline Baldwin, (573-694-3199) and to make use of the appropriate State of Missouri hotline or the Attorney General’s clergy abuse online form.  All of this information is also on the diocesan website, under the ‘report abuse’ tab.  For those who want information, or want you to convey a message to Bishop McKnight, please encourage them to use the ‘reach us’ form on the website, diojeffcity.org.  Every submission is read.