Mandatory Reporting of Child Sexual Abuse by Religious Leaders

Abstract

Considered herein are the arguments for requiring clergy and other such religious leaders to report concerns about the sexual abuse of children and the different options for so doing. These include adding ministers of religion to the list of professionals who are required to report to child welfare authorities, mandating reports only where the alleged perpetrator is another member of the religious organisation and reporting to the police where the person believes a criminal offence has been committed involving the sexual abuse of a child, whether or not the complainant is still a child. It sets the debate within the context of the seemingly high level of child sexual abuse within certain faith communities and the cultural impediments to reporting of abuse which are specific to certain religious groups.