of the child . As depicted in the illustration above , a Priority 1 matter will immediately trigger a CPS Investigation ( see below ), 1 and possible referral to law enforcement for corresponding criminal investigation . Fact patterns not considered Priority 1 are not considered insignificant . Rather , CPS has more time to evaluate the information without the risk of imminent harm to the child during the evaluation process .
CPS INVESTIGATION Depending on the facts reported , an investigation might be opened . Each investigation will be framed by facts reported and subsequent information received or confirmed . What follows is not meant as a comprehensive or chronological description of the investigative process , but a general outline of the common elements of the investigation . If a report is not deemed Priority 1 or otherwise urgent following the original intake , it might become urgent if merited by additional information gathered in the case evaluation process .
Interviewing the child It is common for CPS to interview the child . Depending on the child ’ s age and facts reported , this interview might occur in the child ’ s home , at school , or in the child advocacy center .
Protection of the child If the CPS Investigator believes the child ( or other children ) is at risk , steps will be taken to ensure the protection of the child ( ren ), which might include a safety plan , removal of the child ( ren ), or removal of a potentially dangerous adult or aggressor child from the home . If the abuse occurred at school , for example , steps might be taken to have a potentially dangerous adult or child removed from the school , pending the conclusion of the investigation .
Possible responses The CPS investigation is limited to the circumstances of the child ’ s experience , including possible pathways forward meant to safeguard the child ’ s safety and well-being . If the investigator concludes that the problem is the home environment or family dysfunction , CPS ( or a related agency ) might recommend or require a safety plan , which may include family services , anger management and other parenting courses , counseling or substitute care .
Referral to law enforcement The purpose of any CPS investigation is to safeguard the health and well-being of the child , not the prosecution of the alleged wrongdoer . Any investigation of criminal behavior is performed by law enforcement ( i . e ., Crimes Against Children departments or detectives , criminal forensic investigators , sheriff ’ s office or other criminal justice organization ). Depending on the facts , CPS might refer a report to law enforcement for investigation and possible prosecution .
FUTURE VALUE OF THE REPORT All reports are valuable , but not all reports are actionable . When an allegation of abuse is brought to a ministry leader ’ s attention months , years or even decades after the fact , some ministries have failed to report simply because the allegation is old or involves individuals no longer involved with or employed at the church . Be prepared to report historical allegations , unless it can be verified that someone in the ministry previously reported . The passage of time might mean the criminal statute of limitation has run out , such that the bad actor cannot be criminally prosecuted , but that evaluation is up to criminal law enforcement authorities . Reporting has value regardless : it affirms the victim , creates accountability , puts the alleged abuser ’ s name in the criminal investigation system , and illustrates transparency on the part of the ministry . This is particularly important when the alleged abuser served as a ministry leader , employee , staff member or volunteer . The guiding principle is this : when in doubt — REPORT .
WILL MY IDENTITY BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL ? Often the reporter is a relative , family friend , neighbor or has a role in the child ’ s life , and is justifiably concerned about whether his or her identity will be disclosed if an investigation is initiated . Due to this reality , and to encourage reporting , some states allow anonymous reporting .
Anonymous reporting While some states allow the reporter to remain anonymous , even to the intake representative , many states do not . From a ministry standpoint , anonymous reports are not recommended , particularly if the alleged bad actor is serving as a church staff member or volunteer . The identity of the reporter is important for follow-up if an investigation is initiated .
Best Practice : As a matter of policy , ministries should require reporting as a condition of service , and anonymous reporting should be discouraged , if not precluded .
Confidentiality of reporter identity As a general rule , state reporting systems encourage the reporting of child abuse and neglect . The majority of states prioritize confidentiality of the reporter ’ s identity with very defined parameters for protecting identity , while others simply ‘ do their best ’ to keep reporter identity confidential . Typically , the reporter ’ s identity is disclosed only to law enforcement in the context of a criminal investigation . In some cases , the reporting person ’ s licensure status ( i . e ., Education Agency , Nursing Board , or other licensing body ) might negate any expectation of privacy or confidentiality .
Best Practice : AFTER the report has occurred , informing the child ’ s parent or caregiver may occur ONLY if the child is not thereby endangered by doing so . For example , if a child says she was molested by her mother ’ s boyfriend who lives in the home , do not inform the child ’ s mother : doing so might endanger the child . When in doubt , err on the side of protecting the child .
SUMMARY — KNOWLEDGE DISPELS FEAR In many cases , ministry leaders fail to report suspicions or allegations of child abuse due to fear : fear of what will happen after a report is made . Ministry leaders are more likely to report when they better understand mandatory reporting requirements and the reporting process : what occurs ‘ behind the curtain ’. If every reasonable suspicion or allegation of child sexual abuse is simply reported by church leaders to appropriate authorities , the Church and its children are better protected .
Child Protective Services ( CPS ) is a common description or departmental designation for the state or local agency or governmental department tasked with processing reports of child abuse and neglect , including intake , evaluation and investigation . The departmental name and delegation of responsibilities varies from state to state . For example , a report of child abuse or neglect in Oklahoma is processed by the Department of Human Services ( DHS ).
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 Contexts ’ as Visiting Faculty at Dallas Theological Seminary .
72 CHURCH EXECUTIVE • STOP CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE churchexecutive . com