Church "Sound Rooms"

Many churches have sound rooms in which a volunteer or employee operates and controls sound equipment during religious services and other events. Such rooms are often enclosed, and are magnets for minors who are attracted to the technical equipment. A number of cases of child molestation have occurred in church sound rooms. Often, the sound technician invites minors to "assist" him in operating the equipment, and arranges "training" at times when the room is isolated and unsupervised. It is a perfect arrangement for a child molester.

In a recent case in Georgia, a church choir director also operated the church's audiovisual equipment during various events. He sexually molested two minors who were assisting him in the sound room. The offender was charged with aggravated child molestation, and was convicted. A state appeals court concluded that there was ample evidence ...