Suggested Procedures and Guidelines for Handling Abuse Allegations of a Child against a Church Leader

1. A person who receives a report of allegations of child abuse against a church leader (paid staff, officebearer, or appointed volunteer), and concludes that the allegations create a reasonable suspicion that abuse has occurred, should report the matter to local police or child-protection authorities within twenty-four hours of receiving the information.

In addition, a person who has knowledge of any circumstances that create a reasonable suspicion that a church leader has committed child abuse also should report the matter to local police or child-protection authorities within twenty-four hours of coming to that conclusion.

2. As soon as possible after notifying the appropriate authorities, the person who reports the matter should contact the person (hereafter, designated person) within the accused’s church who has been designated to receive any report of alleged child abuse. The person who reports the matter should describe the allegations of abuse and/or the circumstances that support the allegations of abuse to the designated person. In addition, the person who reports the matter should inform the designated person if the alleged abuse occurred in the church or in connection with a church-sponsored program.

3. The designated person should contact (1) the pastor, if the minor has not implicated the pastor; (2) a member of the church’s leadership team, if the minor has not implicated this team member; (3) the church’s legal counsel; and (4) the church’s insurance agent.

If the alleged victim and alleged abuser are not members of the same church, each church should appoint a designated person. Together, the designated persons should maintain contact about the progress of the investigation.

Church officials may conduct their own investigation after civil authorities have begun theirs. However, church officials should not reveal the nature of the allegations to the alleged offender until the civil authorities have met with him or her.

4. If the alleged abuser admits wrongdoing against the victim at any stage of this process, the admission of guilt should be brought to the attention of the governing body of the church of the accused. The governing body should deliberate and determine outcomes according to established church polity and procedures.

5. When the designated person determines (1) that the authorities have concluded that the allegations merit serious investigation, or (2) that there is the possibility of formal charges, the designated person should notify the governing body of the alleged abuser’s church.

a. The designated person should present to the governing body a written document that specifies the nature of the allegations and any information that is known.

b. The governing body should give the accused an opportunity to respond to the allegations.

c. In light of the information presented, the governing body should implement one or more of the following actions:

• supervised contact at church between the accused and any minors;
• prohibited contact at church between the accused and accuser or between the accused and any minor in the congregation;
• suspended responsibilities from office, position, or duty with pay, when applicable, and without prejudice pending the outcome of the investigation.

6. If and when the designated person learns that the authorities have filed criminal charges against the accused, then the designated person should report this information to the governing body of the alleged abuser’s church.

a. The designated person should present to the governing body a written document specifying the nature of the allegations and any information that is known.

b. The governing bodyshould give the accused an opportunity to respond to the allegations.

c. In light of the information presented, the governing body should implement the following actions:

• prohibit the accused from contact with minors at church;
• and suspend the accused from office, position, or duty with pay, when applicable, and without prejudice pending the outcome of  the charges.

7. When criminal proceedings have concluded, the governing body should promptly revisit the matter, whether the result is conviction, acquittal, or dropped charges. If the criminal charges are dropped or prosecution does not result in a conviction, the governing body should decide whether or not to rescind its earlier action and/or take additional action.

8. If the accused whom the governing bodyhas previously removed or suspended from office is found not guilty of the allegations, the governing body should not reinstate the accused to his or her previous position of leadership until they, in consultation with the police and/or child-protection authorities, legal counsel, and child abuse experts, deem it safe and proper to do so.

9. If the accused is found guilty, the governing body may (1) subject a determined abuser (hereafter abuser) to further suspension, deposition, or termination of employment, or (2) take such other action against the abuser as the circumstances may dictate.

10. A church leader (1) who has made a confession of child abuse, (2) who has been convicted of child abuse in a court of law, or (3) whom the governing body has adjudicated guilty of abuse of a minor should not be reinstated to the position from which he or she has been removed or suspended without the advice of the church's legal counsel.

11. The governing body should notify the congregation when a church leader is removed or suspended from office, position, or duty pending the outcome of an investigation into an allegation of child abuse. This notice should be in writing and should protect the identity and confidentiality of the accuser. This disclosure should be pastoral, objectively factual, and not exceed the scope of the information known about the matter at that time. In addition, the governing body should not attempt to state any legal conclusions about the guilt or innocence of any person unless and until the governing bodydetermines that a church leader is an abuser.

12. Subject to the best interest of the abused, the governing body should notify the congregation in writing if they conclude that a church leader is an abuser. This notice should protect the identity and confidentiality of any innocent parties, including the abused person. This written communication should be pastoral and objectively factual. 

Approved by Synod, 1997; Revised August 2003; Adopted by Synod 2004