State law enforcement officials have created a task force to investigate allegations of sexual abuse within the Catholic churches of New Jersey, as well as efforts to cover up such abuse.

Attorney General Gurbir Grewal made the announcement Thursday. Grewal also established a new hotline to report allegations of sexual abuse by members of the clergy. The hotline will be staffed by trained professionals and operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Former Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert Laurino was appointed to head the task force.

The move comes after the publication of a report by a Pennsylvania grand jury alleging more than a thousand victims of sexual abuse by Catholic priests in that state over a 70-year period.

The clergy abuse hotline is 855-363-6548.