When urged to prepare and protect the church from sexual scandal, you may have heard these responses: “It won’t happen here!” and “We’ve never had to do it that way before!”

Today’s churches and staff members are facing charges of sexual misconduct or sexual child abuse at an alarming rate. If your church is charged with sexual misconduct or sexual child abuse, respond appropriately. Whether the abuse occurred or not, your reaction is important. Your response does not admit that sexual misconduct did occur, but it does show your concern and willingness to take appropriate action.

Integrity is paramount when someone is accused of sexual harassment or abuse. Reactions reflect integrity. Your confidence that you were not personally involved does not prevent accusations against you or others in your church. If the accused person served or taught in your church, then your church is involved.

• You cannot prevent legal action against the church.
• If the charges are false, can you prove it?

What can you do to prevent abuse and protect the church family in the future?

1. Screen Each Volunteer and Paid Staff Member⤒🔗

Many insurance companies require churches and religious schools to perform specific, in-depth screening of all adults who work with youth and children. Do this before you hire them. Ask your insurance agent what training his company suggests. Some companies provide training materials to help volunteers and staff members understand the law. 

2. Develop, Adopt, and Communicate Written Church Policies and Procedure←⤒🔗

When charges of sexual misconduct are made against an organization, the first question an attorney asks is to see your operating documents, including your church’s constitution and bylaws. There are other basic documents every church should develop to guide staff and volunteers in appropriate conduct that will protect the children and the church. Just saying, “We all know what to do” is indefensible in court. These policies must be written.

Here are some steps you can take to prevent future charges:

• Develop written policies on acceptable/unacceptable behaviors that will protect the children and the workers. The church must formally adopt these policies.
   
• Ask each staff member to provide a complete résumé, including permission to conduct a background check.
   
• Always perform background checks.
   
• Develop, adopt, communicate, and adhere to written counseling policies and procedures for all church staff.
   
• Develop, adopt, communicate, and adhere to written visitation policies for staff and official church visits.
   
• Include in all written policies the requirement to report all accusations of child abuse to the appropriate law agency. 

These written policies are preventative in nature and are integral parts of your church’s policies and procedures manual. The church staff must take these issues seriously and fully adhere to the adopted policies.

3. Always Consult an Attorney When a Complaint is Made←⤒🔗

If a complaint is made against a staff member or volunteer and you have followed each step in your church’s policies and procedure manual, take the first step in avoiding litigation, limiting church liability, and helping face the legal issues. Consult an attorney with specific questions relating to the policy or complaints.

4. Observe All Requirements of Your Church Insurance Policy←⤒🔗

Provide adequate insurance coverage for your church. It could cost thousands of dollars to successfully defend your church. Review your insurance company’s requirements and follow them completely. One insurance company told a church in Oregon, “Unless you screen all workers with children and youth, we will limit our liability insurance to $30,000.” The church quickly complied and voted to screen all workers.