Child Abuse: Emerging Trends from the Biggest Legal Threat to Churches

Important insights and best practices for keeping your church and children safe from child abuse.

Featuring Richard R. Hammar, Attorney, CPA

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Child abuse remains a perennial top reason churches go to court each year. Recent headlines nationwide only confirm this reality. From jury verdicts doling out multimillion-dollar damages awards, to expanded statutes of limitation for victims to come forward, to new interpretations of the clergy-penitent privilege affecting abuse reporting, the evolving nature of this issue demonstrates the need for church leaders to remain vigilant and intentional about protecting children and youth in their ministries.

Attorney and senior editor Richard Hammar joined Church Law & Tax content editor Matthew Branaugh to discuss these emerging trends. In this video, Hammar also provides valuable best practices and standards churches should follow to prevent possible abuse and avoid costly and painful litigation.

Download the presentation slides here.

This content is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information in regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional service. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought. "From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations." Due to the nature of the U.S. legal system, laws and regulations constantly change. The editors encourage readers to carefully search the site for all content related to the topic of interest and consult qualified local counsel to verify the status of specific statutes, laws, regulations, and precedential court holdings.

Mandatory Child Abuse Reporting Laws

Church Board Guide to a Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Policy