By Tammi Pitzen, Executive Director of the Children’s Advocacy Center of Jackson County
I came across an article posted on Facebook that talked about a woman who was suing her church because they did not warn her husband that, by confessing he abused a child, it would be reported and investigated.
The church (The Church of Latter-day Saints) is sticking by their decision to report and to protect a child.
The story goes that the husband confessed his “sins” to the pastor. They did not warn her or her husband that they would report those sins to the authorities. In this case, the sin was “engaging in inappropriate conduct” with an underage girl. The church stands by their decision to protect this child and make the report. The Church goes further stating that it teaches that its leaders and members should fulfill all legal obligations to report child abuse to authorities. They even have a 24-hour helpline to report abuse.
Let’s lay to rest any lingering thoughts about whether or not the offender was unjustly accused. He was investigated based on his words – what he said he did. In 2017, the offender was convicted and is serving 15 years in prison.
First thought: Bravo!
I will put my disclaimer here. I am not a member of the Church of Latter-day Saints. However, I applaud their straightforwardness in protecting children. Not only in action — but then also by the messaging they sent that they are standing behind that decision, even in the face of being sued.
Second thought: I hope it was not her child.
Can you imagine the message this child is hearing if this is a family member? They are suing the church for 9.5 million for loss of income, emotional distress and the family’s loss of her husband’s companionship. Also 40 thousand to cover his legal fees.
In other words, those left unspoken….“You are not important. Your abuse should be kept silent. The offender’s status is more important. You deserve to be abused.” No support will likely send this child deep into silence. And how unfair. She/he did not report. The offender did. Let that sink in for a moment. And if anyone has any questions about why the child did not report, research the story. If this child is a family member his/her survival probably depended on keeping the secret.
If it wasn’t her child, then there is a chance that the adults in this child’s life will be supportive and help the child find the path to recovery. Let’s hope for this scenario.
This happened in Oregon.
In Oregon, as is the case in 28 other states, clergy are among the professionals mandated by law to report known or suspected instances of child abuse or neglect.
What is on the line? Besides millions of the church’s monies?
This litigation if successful can push the church back into a cloak of silence. We are barely dealing with all the abuse that happened behind the closed doors of our faith-based communities for the last five decades or so.
What would be the outcome of that cloak of silence?
Creating an environment where abuse is accepted, where the victim is shunned,.…hmmmm, sounds vaguely familiar. Isn’t that where we have been working to move away from?
Basically this lawsuit, if successful, will essentially tell children, in all walks of faith, that the offender deserves the protection — not the child.
What can be done? I don’t know. Anyone can sue for any reason. This is a test I think. It could offer more safety to offenders or it could protect clergy who provide a pathway to safety, healing and hope for children being abused.
The final grade is going to change the world that I work in. The question is will it shine light on abuse or push it back into shadows?
