“False allegations are rare; academic
studies indicate 92% to 98% of outcries
are real and factual. Your church should
assume the allegation received is likely
factual, and multiple (unknown) victims
might exist, whether the alleged victim is
male or female.”
• Outline immediate care and communication extended to the
victim(s), the victim’s family and others directly impacted by the
alleged abuse. (See sidebar, at right)
STRATEGIES FOR COMMUNICATING WITH THE CONGREGATION,
MINISTRY STAKEHOLDERS
When faced with an abuse allegation, too many ministries succumb
to the temptation to say little or nothing, attempting to keep the
toothpaste in the tube. This course of action seldom works out well for
anyone; victims feel abandoned; leaders feel unfairly vilified; members
feel minimized and left in the dark; and public perception of the
ministry suffers.
Instead, immediate and transparent communication with church
members, staff members and ministry supporters is key. Church
members — and the public as a whole — tend to extend significant
grace to leaders who quickly address allegations, even if the church or its
leaders erred in the past.
Some circumstances demand corporate communication or a ‘family
meeting’ of members to communicate in a broader context. Member
meetings should occur in accord with the ministry’s bylaws or doctrinal
statement — specifically stating that the meeting is occurring to
undertake church business.
Generally, the communication to members should be factual, nonspeculative,
victim-centric and brief. The meeting should open and close
with prayer. Do not allow for a Q&A session; too often, questions will be
asked that cannot be answered appropriately in a large group. Those with
additional questions should be directed to one designated staff member,
in his or her office during the business week, rather than on the spot or
following the member meeting. This staff member should be equipped
with relevant information that will not undermine any law enforcement
investigation or impinge upon the privacy of the victim(s).
Appropriate action and communication are generally fact-specific and
depend heavily on the circumstances — the type of allegation, the role
(if any) of the accused, the involvement of law enforcement, and whether
any of the behavior is admitted.
It is always wise to seek competent legal counsel at the onset.
INSURANCE COVERAGE — NOTIFYING YOUR CARRIER
Every ministry should know its insurance agent and choose an agent
who is knowledgeable about sexual abuse risk. Given current litigation
costs and settlement amounts, does the ministry carry sufficient
insurance to cover this risk?
Does the policy have an exclusion, endorsement, qualification
or limitation of coverage for matters related to sexual abuse or
sexual misconduct?
When an allegation is received, the ministry should put its carrier
on notice, in writing, of ‘facts that could give rise to a claim.’ Many
ministries have jeopardized coverage by failing to notify a carrier who
subsequently provides coverage, if at all, under reservation of rights,
potentially putting the ministry at odds with its insurer at the onset of
civil litigation.
HOW TO COMMUNICATE
WITH ABUSE SURVIVORS,
FAMILIES
A ministry’s allegation response plan should address ongoing
support, care and communication with the victim(s) and their
families. Some fundamental principles:
• Communication early and often.
• Listen with an empathetic ear.
• Set aside defensiveness or justifications.
• Understand that parents will likely need to VENT.
• Victims and their families might feel angry, bitter or resentful.
• Do not attempt to facilitate superficial forgiveness.
• Understand that ministry to abuse survivors and their families
will require long-term commitment; there is no quick fix.
• Offer to pay for the services of a counselor of the
victim’s choice.
EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION AND CARE NOW IS
MORALLY RIGHT, BIBLICALLY SOUND, AND POSITIVELY
IMPACTS PUBLIC PERCEPTION.
Not all allegations lead to lawsuits; but if civil litigation does ensue,
notifying the carrier at the start is critical.
AN OUNCE OF PREVENTION IS WORTH A POUND OF CURE
Developing a response plan is imperative, but preventative protocols
should get first priority. An effective SAFETY SYSTEM is a ministry’s
best protection from sexual abuse harm and resulting damages. Analyze
existing safety protocols by answering these questions:
• Does your ministry screen employees and volunteers for sexual
abuse risk?
• How effective is your training?
• Will your workers recognize the grooming process of an abuser?
• Will they know to report suspicions, and to whom?
• Do your policies create ‘bright line’ DOs and DON’Ts related to sexual
abuse risk?
• Are your child-serving programs adequately monitored
and supervised?
“A victimized child is harm enough; a
child re-victimized by an abuser-centric
response is inexcusable.”
An effective SAFETY SYSTEM will not negate sexual abuse risk, but
it will substantially abate that threat by taking reasonable steps to address
a known risk. With a better understanding of sexual abuse and sexual
abusers, ministry leaders are better able to respond to abuse allegations
with sensitivity and clarity.
Kimberlee Norris and Gregory Love are partners in the Fort Worth, Texas law
firm of Love & Norris [ https://www.lovenorris.com ] and founders of MinistrySafe
[ https://ministrysafe.com ], providing child sexual abuse expertise to ministries
worldwide. After representing victims of child sexual abuse for more than two
decades, Love and Norris saw recurring, predictable patterns in predatory behavior.
MinistrySafe grew out of their desire to place proactive tools into the hands of
ministry professionals.
Love and Norris teach the only graduate-level course on Preventing Sexual Abuse
in Ministry as Visiting Faculty at Dallas Theological Seminary.
20 CHURCH EXECUTIVE | JULY / AUG 2020