“ 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 .
24 CHURCH EXECUTIVE • STOP CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE churchexecutive . com