3.2.1 The Catholic Church in Scotland is committed to the mandatory reporting of all allegations of recent or historic abuse made against clergy, religious, Church employees or volunteers to the statutory authorities for investigation.
3.2.2 All allegations must be reported immediately to the Bishop or Major Superior by means of the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser, for referral to the authorities. However, in an emergency situation in which a child or vulnerable adult appears to be at risk of harm, any responsible adult to whom an allegation is disclosed should contact the statutory authorities without delay.
3.2.3 Appropriate Safeguarding training must ensure that everyone remains vigilant and is able to identify Safeguarding concerns. These should be referred to the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser so that the DRAMT can address how they might be addressed.
3.2.4 While it is important to differentiate between allegations and concerns28An allegation is the disclosure of harm, current or non-recent; a concern is the result of observing potentially harmful behaviours or signs of abuse or neglect., both must be referred to the Diocesan Safeguarding Adviser. If concerns are shared sufficiently early, then it is possible that behaviours or attitudes can be addressed without significant harm developing. The DRAMT may advise that particular concerns need to be reported to statutory services who will consider whether to explore these. Once those concerns are explored further, there might well be evidence of harm. In that case, a concern may lead to an allegation.