What should a church do to protect against the risk of child sexual abuse?

An effective safety system for the church should include the following components.  Each of these components is valuable as part of a program, but cannont creat a safe environment standing alone.

  1. Sexual Abuse Awareness Training (for all staff members and volunteers).
  2. An effective screening process (for screening and hiring of personnel, including volunteers).
  3. An appropriate criminal background check.
  4. Tailored policies and procedures
  5. Effective monitoring and oversight of all ministry programs involving children or vulnerable adults.

The single most important step a church can take?  Up next....

About the Authors

Gregory Love and Kimberlee Norris co-founded MinistrySafe and Abuse Prevention Systems, entities dedicated to sexual abuse awareness and prevention. MinistrySafe and Abuse Prevention Systems provide Sexual Abuse Awareness Training (live and online) and assist child care entities and organizations in the design and implementation of safety systems which reduce the risk of child sexual abuse. Love and Norris are frequent speakers before educational entities, youth and children’s ministries, day care, adoption and foster care organizations, and youth camps. They have addressed national and regional audiences.  Both are actively involved in ministry as well.