The Diocese of Honolulu has appointed licensed clinical social worker Philippe Guedj as its new Victim Assistance Coordinator, tasking him with serving as a confidential first stop for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse by clergy or other church workers. In the role, Guedj will meet privately with survivors and help line up counseling, referrals and reporting. He will be based at Catholic Charities Hawaii and will work within the diocese’s Office of Safe Environment.
Diocese Lists Coordinator And His Duties
The Safe Environment page for the diocese identifies Guedj as the Victim Assistance Coordinator and details responsibilities that include immediate confidential meetings, support in finding trained mental-health professionals and assistance in bringing reports to diocesan officials, according to the Diocese of Honolulu. That page also shares a phone number and email address survivors can use to ask for help. Under the arrangement, the coordinator’s work runs through Catholic Charities Hawaii, which the diocese says provides licensed clinicians for the position.
Background And Credentials
Guedj is trained in social work and brings experience in local behavioral-health settings, as reported by the Hawaii Catholic Herald. The paper notes that he earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Hunter College and a master’s degree in social work from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, and that his previous roles have included work with Catholic Charities Hawaii, Care Hawaii, Hina Mauka and Helping Hands Hawaii. An NPI profile lists him as an active LCSW in Hawaiʻi, confirming his clinical licensure.
How Survivors Can Reach Him
The diocese’s Safe Environment information lists Guedj’s office at Catholic Charities Hawaii, 1822 Keeaumoku Street, along with an email address ([email protected]) and a phone line that survivors can use to make confidential contact, per the Diocese of Honolulu. With Catholic Charities involved, the diocese notes that survivors will be meeting with professionally licensed staff rather than volunteers. The same diocesan materials also point to separate guidance for anyone who wants to report abuse to civil authorities.
Why This Role Matters
Kristin Leandro, director of the diocesan Safe Environment office, described the position as central to how the church walks with survivors. Having “a qualified, dedicated professional is critical to accompany victims and survivors toward healing,” she said, according to the Hawaii Catholic Herald. Guedj told the paper he “enjoys making a difference in people’s lives and helping them be better,” adding that his clinical training and local work history will influence how he meets with survivors. Supporters of the role say having a trained, local point person can make reporting feel less isolating and help survivors connect with culturally competent care.
Policy Context
The Victim Assistance Coordinator position fits into the framework laid out by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People, which calls on dioceses to provide qualified staff to coordinate assistance for survivors, according to the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. The Diocese of Honolulu states that it carries out annual safe-environment audits and maintains a review board that oversees how allegations are handled. For immediate help, survivors can contact Philippe Guedj at Catholic Charities Hawaii at (808) 527-4604 or by email.
