CHURCH BOARD GUIDE TO A CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE PREVENTION POLICY


suggest that a pedophile may have hundreds of victims over the course of a lifetime. You have a duty to protect other innocent victims. Resolve doubts in favor of reporting.


5. Be especially aggressive when dealing with suspected abuse on the part of a person with a history of previous abusive behavior. Resolve doubts in favor of reporting.


6. Does the clergy-penitent privilege apply? In some states, clergy who learn of child abuse during a confidential counseling ses- sion are not required to report the information to the state.


7. Consider discussing the case anonymously with a representative of the state agency that receives reports of abuse. These representa- tives often are more than willing to discuss particular cases and evaluate whether or not a report should be filed. Of course, if you are advised that a report need not be filed, be sure to obtain the representative’s name and make a record of the call.


8. Consider filing an anonymous report from the office of some inde- pendent third party (such as a local attorney or the pastor of another church).The other person can later verify that you in fact made the report.


9. If you have any doubts concerning your duty to report a particular incident to the state, an attorney should be consulted. It is also desir- able to inform your insurance agent.


Train workers Conduct periodic training of workers and staff regarding the reporting procedures (over 1/3 of churches provide annual training, 1/5 when policies change, and over 15 percent when staff changes). This is espe- cially important at the beginning of a new program schedule or when- ever a new person begins working in a ministry or program. Training sessions should present the church’s policy on reporting and the ratio- nale behind it. Workers should have the opportunity to voice their con- cerns and questions. All church staff should know their obligation to report a possible incident, and the necessity to provide feedback to one


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