For years, I followed a five-step process to help prevent child sexual abuse in churches:

Later, I added a sixth precaution: criminal background checks using national databases and sex offender registries.

Now, based on recent legal cases, public sentiment, and best practices, I recommend a 14-step plan to reduce the risk of abuse more thoroughly.

Key Point: These steps are designed first and foremost to protect children—not just to manage risk. Churches that prioritize safety over liability tend to maintain better long-term compliance.

Interview all applicants—both paid and volunteer—who seek to work with children or youth. Interviews offer a chance to:

Applications should include:

The most reliable references come from organizations where the applicant previously worked with minors.

If you don’t receive a written reply, call the reference and document:

🛑 Caution: Some states require criminal background checks for childcare workers. Check with legal counsel for state-specific rules.

Only allow volunteers who’ve been church members for at least six months to serve with children. This gives time to evaluate their behavior and motives.

Compare your procedures to those of:

Aligning with these organizations can help demonstrate that your church is acting reasonably.

Have an attorney periodically review your safety policies to ensure they meet legal standards and best practices.

No minor should ever be alone with one unrelated adult on church property or during church activities.

Note: Some churches follow public school models, allowing one adult with multiple children in a classroom during regular hours. This is generally seen as legally acceptable.

Examples of violations:

Run a nationwide search of:

🚫 Never allow individuals on a sex offender registry to serve with minors.

If uncertain about a conviction, use public school eligibility as your standard.

Know your state’s child abuse reporting laws. In many cases, reports must be made within 24 hours.

Always report if you have reasonable suspicion.

Benefits of prompt reporting:

📝 Document your report. Include the date, agency, name of reporter, and a witness if possible.

Key Point: You’re not required to investigate—only to report suspected abuse.

Watch for these grooming behaviors:

Shut these behaviors down immediately.

Prohibit private messaging between youth leaders and unrelated minors.

✔ Check with local school districts to understand their policies on adult–minor communication.

Install cameras in high-risk areas to:

Best camera locations:

Train volunteers and staff on:

Invite experts from child abuse hotlines or prosecutors’ offices to support your training.

Even with proper screening, churches can still be liable for poor supervision.

Avoid negligence by:

Key Point: Reframe these steps as child protection—not risk management. When leaders are motivated by care rather than liability, compliance is stronger and more consistent.

The Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court ruled that a Catholic diocese could be held liable for negligent supervision and retention, though not for negligent hiring.

Findings:

Key Takeaway: Churches can be held liable if they fail to act on warning signs, even if the initial hire seemed appropriate.

Public anger toward churches mishandling abuse claims has intensified. Three recent developments illustrate this shift:

Investigated abuse in six Catholic dioceses:

The diocese paid $28.5 million to four men abused by a priest—one of the largest per-victim settlements ever.

Passed after hundreds of young athletes were abused in USA Gymnastics and other youth sports.

Public tolerance for mishandling child abuse is gone. Today’s juries—and communities—expect churches to take strong, proactive steps to protect minors.

Now is the time to review your policies, close the gaps, and reaffirm your church’s commitment to safety.