EDNY SURVEY INFORMATION

A Letter from the Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd, Bishop of New York

Across the Diocese of New York, it’s our commitment to create communities of safe belonging where our common life reflects our care for each other.

At the Diocesan Convention 2022, Bishop Andrew Dietsche announced there would be an independent audit of how sexual misconduct cases have been handled in our diocese.

The audit will ensure that we are using best practices to prevent sexual misconduct; responding to reports of sexual misconduct when it occurs; fostering a culture of transparency and accountability; repairing trust; and above all, promoting healing for survivors and all those affected by sexual misconduct. 

In October of 2024, the Trustees of the Diocese commissioned the audit and launched a national search for an independent firm to conduct it. The Trustees have approved the selection of Guidepost Solutions, a global compliance and investigation firm, to conduct our audit. Guidepost Solutions was the most experienced of four firms interviewed and offered a multi-disciplinary, trauma-trained staff. 

Guidepost will:

  • Conduct a historical review of the diocese’s misconduct files, 

  • Interview individuals with relevant information, and 

  • Provide a survey about sexual misconduct in the diocese to gather information and enable people to tell their stories. The survey will be anonymous unless the person chooses to add their name and request an interview.

Those who do not use email, or do not have easy access to the internet, may call Guidepost at 212-359-2920 and request to do the survey over the phone. Likewise, if anyone needs translation services, please use the Guidepost email or phone option to let them know a translator will be needed.  

The survey will be open for six weeks, from May 23 – July 3. The survey information submitted by email or phone will be processed and analyzed by Guidepost, not Diocesan staff. When the results have been collated and analyzed, they will be incorporated into the final report. We will make the report public.

The email account and voicemail are monitored and controlled by Guidepost; EDNY will not receive or have access to these emails or voicemails. Guidepost Solutions staff who are experienced in interviewing survivors and are not connected with the diocese will monitor calls and respond to emails. Guidepost may be contacted by email at ednyhotline@guidepostsolutions.com. 

I’m grateful to Trustee Alison Quin for leading this effort with support from Canon to the Ordinary Alissa Newton. Thanks to Elaine Delgado and Chontel Simmons for their participation as well. Our Vice Chancellor for Safe Church, Ken Citarella, has also been of great help and advice.

This process is not easy but our hope and belief is the audit will lead to greater health and safety in our diocese. Thank you for being an essential part of making this happen.

Grace and Peace,

The Rt. Rev. Matthew Heyd
Bishop of New York

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Why is EDNY doing a sexual abuse audit? To confront our past history of sexual misconduct for the sake of transparency, accountability, healing for survivors, and to ensure that the Diocese is using best practices for preventing and addressing misconduct.

  • What is involved? Guidepost Solutions is an independent global investigation and compliance firm with experience in auditing faith institutions. They will review of the Diocese’s records concerning sexual misconduct over the past 50 years, conduct a diocesan-wide survey to gather information, maintain a dedicated phone line and email for additional reporting, interview those who wish to be interviewed, review diocesan policies and practices and finally, issue a report that will be circulated to all.

  • What is the hotline number?  212-359-2920

  • What is the email address for Guidepost Solutions? ednyhotline@guidepostsolutions.com

  • Is the survey anonymous? Yes.

  • Will diocesan staff see my survey responses, hear calls to the hotline or read emails sent to the dedicated email address? No. 

  • What if someone does not use email? They can call the hotline number  212-359-2920 and respond to the survey orally. 

  • What if someone does not speak English? They can request a translator who will help them fill in the survey by phone.  

  • Are the Guidepost Solutions staff trained to interview survivors with sensitivity to the trauma they may be experiencing? Yes. 

  • How long will the survey be open? For six weeks. It closes on July 3, 2025. 

  • When will the final report come out? In the fall of 2025.