“If media headlines are any indication,
those being prosecuted for failure
to report are primarily employed by
churches, camps, day care centers
and schools.”
UNDERSTANDING SEXUAL ABUSE
An understanding of mandatory reporting requirements is critical
for ministry leaders. Equally important is an understanding of
behaviors commonly indicating abusive behavior; the grooming process
of the abuser.
In child-serving ministries, the preferential sexual offender is the
primary risk to children in ministry programs — representing 94% of
prosecuted cases. (See our prior article, "Criminal background checks
— not a silver bullet!" at https://churchexecutive.com/archives/stopsexual-abuse-4).
When ministry leaders better understand the grooming
process of the preferential offender — how an offender gains access to
children, grooms a child for sexual touch and subsequently keeps the
child silent — that ministry leader is better equipped to recognize
risky behavior as it is encountered; before the offender has molested a child.
With effective training, ministry leaders develop ‘eyes to see and ears
to hear’ predatory behavior, which give rise to appropriate reporting. In
other words, don’t wait until an individual is caught in a compromising
position with a child to suspect a problem might exist.
To learn more about the grooming process of the preferential
offender and behaviors indicative of child sexual abuse, visit https://
ministrysafe.com/church-executive.
COURAGE TO REPORT
Many ministry leaders struggle with the thought: what if I’m wrong?
What if I make this report, impact this person’s life, and I’m wrong?
Here’s the reality: by creating very broad reporting obligations
and requiring that reasonable suspicions of abuse be reported, each
state legislature has decided that the safety and welfare of the child
outweigh the inconvenience to an adult (or another child, in peer-topeer
sexual abuse scenarios).
In some cases, a ministry leader has experienced significant
difficulty in reporting a past allegation. Keep these two realities in
mind: the United States has the best child protection and criminal
justice system in the world, yet the system is clearly imperfect.
Nonetheless, a poor past experience does not change legal reporting
requirements related to a current circumstance.
Circumstances giving rise to a need to report are rarely convenient,
easy or unemotional. Child sexual abuse allegations commonly
involve behavior that is difficult to believe about an individual who is
difficult to suspect. In part, this is because preferential abusers groom the
gatekeepers in ministry environments, working diligently to cause those
around them to believe they are helpful, responsible and trustworthy
individuals. Keep in mind: false allegations are rare. Studies indicate
that only 2%-3% of all sexual abuse allegations are false; the majority
of outcries are truthful and factual.
In our current cultural context, two out of three children don’t
tell about abuse they have experienced until adulthood, if ever.
This is further compounded by the fact that most children don’t
tell because “no one will believe me” (which, too often, is true). The
church must become more skilled at preventing abuse, recognizing
signs and symptoms of abuse, and recognizing predatory behavior
and characteristics. A ministry’s willingness to recognize and
report suspicions of abuse forms a key element in protecting the
children it serves.
Legislative code sections define abuse very broadly and require a
report when a reasonable suspicion of abuse is formed. Broad reporting
requirements exist because legislatures want criminal and child
protection authorities armed with information used to protect children
at the earliest possible point in time. If every allegation or suspicion
of child sexual abuse is reported by church leaders to appropriate
authorities, the church and Christ-based ministries become a true
sanctuary for the most vulnerable among us: our children.
When in doubt, REPORT.
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.
BEST PRACTICES
Keep these ‘best practices’ in
mind with respect to your ministry’s
reporting requirements.
Learn your state’s reporting process prior to a
reporting event.
If you’ve never reported child abuse or neglect, take time to
learn (1) what number to call, (2) what information is required,
and (3) if a written report is necessary.
Some congregants (or staff members) might not
be happy.
In a circumstance requiring a report, it is possible that some
will be angry or upset that a report must occur, or even ask or
demand that you not report. Be prepared for this opposition.
When in doubt, report — even when faced with resistance.
Keep a record of the report and inform your insurance
carrier in writing.
Legal action (criminal prosecution or civil litigation) might
unfold months or years from the time of the report. At the time
of the report, document what was reported, when the report
was made and to whom. Do not rely on your memory or the
hope that the reporting staff member is still associated with
your ministry when legal action unfolds months or years later.
Inform your insurance carrier in writing the same day the
report is made.
Report historical allegations when brought to
your attention.
When an allegation of abuse matter is brought to your
attention months, years or even decades after the fact, do not
fail to report simply because the allegation is old or involves
individuals no longer involved or employed at your church. Be
prepared to report historical allegations. Unless you are able to
verify that someone in your ministry previously reported —
make the report.
Again: when in doubt — REPORT.
26 CHURCH EXECUTIVE | MAY / JUNE 2020