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Christian Churches Response to Child Abuse and Molestation

NCJ Number
157638
Date Published
1995
Length
50 pages
Annotation
This document outlines a program to help Christian churches ensure that children entrusted to their care through Sunday schools, camps, or youth groups, will not be molested or abused by church employees or adult volunteers.
Abstract
The program calls for churches to establish policies and procedures to prevent child abuse and molestation, to screen staff and volunteers, to provide mandatory training for all staff and volunteers, to provide parent education, to provide mandatory supervision, and to provide molestation prevention classes for children. The document discusses church liability in court cases involving alleged child abuse, reporting procedures, the need for Christian forgiveness, and the pastor's role in preventing abuse and helping victims of abuse. 3 appendixes