Executive Summary - 2008 - NationalChristianPoll.com
Conducted by: Christianity Today International, Market Research Department
BACKGROUND
Purpose of the Study
The purpose of the study is to understand more about Child Sexual Abuse Prevention Programs, if any, in U.S. churches among church leaders on NationalChristianPoll.com.
POLICIES, PROCEDURES, AND PLANS
Thinking about specific procedures in protecting the children of your church from sexual abuse, please check how often each is followed.
Seven in ten or more of churches represented do the following always:
- make sure there is an adequate number of adults supervising children or teens
- all play areas are fully visible
- require individuals or groups to obtain permission from an authorized
person before sponsoring an activity - have a system in place to control the use of facility keys
| Procedure/Policy | Always | Sometimes | Never | Don't know |
| We make sure there is an adequate number of adults supervising children or teens. | 80% | 18% | 1% | 1 |
| All play areas are fully visible. | 79% | 17% | 3% | 2% |
| We require individuals or groups to obtain permission from an authorized person before sponsoring an activity. | 73% | 14% | 3% | 10% |
| We have a system in place to control the use of facility keys. | 72% | 16% | 7% | 5% |
| Two or more unrelated workers are present. | 54% | 36% | 3% | 6% |
| We have a check-in process in place. | 54% | 23% | 17% | 6% |
| We have a designated person(s) to secure rooms. | 52% | 24% | 12% | 12% |
| We require volunteers to be part of our ministry for a designated period of time before allowing them to be involved with children. | 41% | 27% | 14% | 18% |
| We conduct frequent, random checks during program and activity times. | 33% | 37% | 13% | 17% |
| We have a monitor(s) to periodically check classrooms and restrooms. | 32% | 29% | 22% | 17% |
THE FOLLOWING ARE PRIMARY ISSUES FOR LOCAL CHURCHES:
Do you have a written policy on preventing child sexual abuse?
Do you have a written policy on handling allegations of child sexual abuse?
Which of the following apply in your child sexual abuse prevention program?
- We take our policies to prevent sexual abuse seriously and see that they are enforced consistently.
- We have adequate insurance coverage if a claim should occur.
- Our workers understand state laws concerning child abuse reporting obligations.
- We have a clearly defined reporting procedure for a suspected incidence of abuse.
- We have a specific response strategy to use if an allegation of sexual abuse is made against our ministry.
- We are prepared to respond to media inquiries if an incident of abuse should occur.
- At your church, is there a clearly designated or identified person to whom children, staff, and volunteers need to report suspicions or outcries of abuse?
In your church, is there a particular plan as to how to handle an allegation of abuse?
If your church has a response plan, does it include reporting the allegation internally?
If your church has a response plan that includes reporting the allegation internally, to whom should the allegation be reported to?
BACKGROUND CHECKS
Does your church screen workers who interact with or have access to minors?
When does your church require that this screening be completed?
How often is the background check renewed or refreshed? (Should be annually.)
Do you conduct the same level of background check on staff and volunteers?
Does the person receiving the background check report receive any training as to what offenses may be “red flags”?
EXCUSES
If a lack of support exists for creating and maintaining a child sexual abuse prevention program, what would you say is the reason?
A sampling of responses received:
- "That can't happen here!"
- "Too much paperwork to keep up with," and "Would never happen to us."
- A feeling that everyone knows everyone and it couldn't happen here.
- Adequate staff commitment.
- Background checks vs. protection of privacy of volunteers.
- Everybody is basically supportive, but it's a lot of extra hoops to jump through for volunteers.
- I would say it's a difficult issue that people think really won't happen in church and no one is really sure how to go about implementing it.
- Inconsistent enforcement of policies!!
- Ironically, parents don't seem too concerned.
- It is hard to get people to (volunteer) for youth and children’s programs, and we take what we can get. We aren't a terribly large church and we generally know everyone.
- Just have not gotten around to doing it yet.
- Lack of knowledge on how to create and maintain a prevention program.
- No effort has ever been made to demonstrate the need and the practical implications of not acting to put policies and practices in place.
- Not expecting it would ever happen to us.
- Our congregation is not large enough to warrant having a prevention program.
- Our leaders are incapable of doing such things. This could never happen at our church.
- Seems too formal to some people who would rather have a family atmosphere.
- Some church workers do not want to be investigated because they feel like their Christian walk should be evidence enough that they would never harm or endanger any child/teen.
- The overall (hassle) of it.
- Too much red tape and difficulty adhering to all of the safeguards.
- Volunteers feel they are not trusted. Volunteers do not want to fill out a form that asks about abuse in their past.
- We have a small (40 avg. Sunday) church, and everyone knows everyone else very well. There is no energy to increase vigilance when so many other issues are consuming our few resources.
- We started out as a small church and at that time no one felt the need for it. Since then we have grown considerably, but not all people seem to realize the importance of this.
Do you have a child sexual abuse training program for church staff or volunteers who are involved in your church activities and programs?
Which of the following types of training resources do you use to protect children from sexual abuse in your church?
- Conferences
- Seminars
- Online
- Video
- DVDs
- Printed
- Materials
Does your church have a person who is responsible for protecting the children from sexual abuse at your church?
Does your church have a committee responsible for protecting the children from sexual abuse at your church?
INSURANCE
Does your church have liability insurance that covers child sexual abuse?
What level of liability coverage does your church have for this coverage?
STATE ISSUES
Most states have statutes that require reports of abuse and suspicions of abuse. Some state statutes clearly identify particular people as mandatory reporters.
Are you familiar with the reporting statutes in your state?
In your state, are you a mandatory reporter?
In your state, are there any exemptions for reporting abuse or suspicions of abuse (i.e. clergy privilege, attorney-client privilege)?
NOTES
How the Data Was Gathered
Interviews were conducted among Active Christians panel members on NationalChristianPoll.com identified as church leaders, holding specific responsibilities at church.
Sample Definitions
*Church Leaders are identified as those who hold the following positions of responsibility: Children's ministry leader/volunteer, Choir/worship team/musician/volunteer, Christian Education director/teacher/leader/volunteer, Church business administrator, Church secretary/office staff, Committee leader/member, Community outreach leader/volunteer, Elder/deacon/ trustee/board member, Media/Communications director/member/volunteer, Ministry leader/coordinator/volunteer, Music director/worship leader/volunteer, Pastor/minister/ priest/clergy, Small group/Bible study leader, Sunday school teacher/volunteer, Treasurer, Vacation Bible School teacher/leader/volunteer, Youth director/leader/ volunteer, and other positions of responsibility.
* A qualified panelist is an Active Christian Church Leader who responded to screener questions that he/she is able to comment on what measures their church has taken to prevent child sexual abuse from occurring within their ministry.
Limitations
With a total sample of 704 completed questionnaires, the maximum margin of error is +3.7 percentage 95% of the time. With a sample less than 704, the margin of error is greater than +3.7 percent 95% of the time.
Report Notes
Responses that do not total 100%: due to multiple responses, rounding of numbers, or refusals.
For purposes of this report, qualified panelists are referred to as Total Respondents.
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