Why is the Church Vulnerable to Liability?

• By its very nature, churches are trusting institutions.
• The Church provides a trusting atmosphere for child molesters.
• Willing volunteers are almost always needed and often complete strangers are permitted to work with children.
• No background checks or screening policies are normally followed.
• The church may not have established policies and procedures to prevent child sexual abuse.
• Often, there is a lack of proper supervision.
• Church staff and volunteers lack education and training in child abuse, more specifically, child sexual abuse. They need to know the Church’s child abuse policies and procedures.
• Most churches do not have insurance coverage that will protect the church from the liability created by child sexual abuse.

What can the Church do to Decrease Their Liability?

• Take a positive stand to protect children and the church.
  

  “He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe”. - Proverbs 28:26 (NIV)

• Implement a Child Protection Program that provides risk management.
  1. Screen all workers working with children and youth.
  2. Maintain watchful supervision over children and youth.
     

     “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel”. - Ezekiel 3:17 – also 33:7 (NIV)

  3. Provide Education - Educate in child abuse and, more specifically, child sexual abuse.
  4. Provide Training - Train in policies and procedures adopted by the Pastor and Church Board.
  5. Report to authorities all sexual abuse allegations or suspicions.
  6. Appoint a media spokesperson, preferably a Senior Pastor, to represent the Church should there be allegations of child sexual abuse.
  7. Carry insurance policy providing liability coverage for child sexual abuse allegations.