Child Abuse

Message / Question

Dr Dave I don’t think you did justice to a previous question about child abuse (especially from a pastor's perspective). If it was that easy the Catholics wouldn’t have sent out letters to their congregants instructing them that confidentiality in their repentance is NOT subject to state law. They said that they are subject to Gods law not manmade law. Why are evangelicals so spineless on this??? As a pastor I’ve had people come to me to tell me they were abused as kids but didn’t want to take it further, and do not want anyone to know. This is the real stuff pastors deal with (I’m sure you’ve dealt with it too). What do you say?

Response

First, let’s make it clear that no Christian can, in any way, condone any form of child abuse.

Child abuse is sin and there’s no “wiggle” room to let any perpetrator off the hook. It is certainly true that child abuse is not an unforgivable sin, in that a person guilty of such an offense who truly repents will receive forgiveness from God, however the natural consequences of their actions still have to be played out and a person who is genuinely repentant for his sin, will understand and accept that reality.

Every person in our community, including pastors, are expected to comply with the law of the land – the Bible does tell us that where there is a clear clash between civil law and the law of God, then we must obey God. However, I can see no conflict between civil and divine law in the area of child abuse. The law requires pastors (along with many other professionals) to report any form of child abuse that comes to their notice. I do not believe that “pastoral confidentiality” or the “seal of the confessional” supersedes civil law on this point, thus if a person confesses that they are a child abuser, then the matter must be reported.

Likewise, if a person, in a counseling situation, indicates that they are a victim of child abuse, then an appropriate must be made to the relevant authority.

In response to your comment, yes, I have had to deal with such situations. When I was NOT mandated (i.e. before ministers of religion were added to the list of mandatory reporters), the option was available to report OR keep the matter confidential, but whether we like it or not, that law has changed and that option is no longer legally available to a pastor. So I have had cause to comply with the law in these matters - it's not nice, but it is necessary. I have accompanied people as they have gone to Police to make a formal statement and have walked through the situation with them. It is not “spineless” to obey the law of the land – it is a biblical requirement.