Explanation of the survey and its results: During the early Fall of 2014, one of our individual members (and a speaker at our Fourth General Assembly in Sao Paulo, Brazil) suggested that the WRF conduct a survey of its membership regarding the issue of child abuse in Christian environments. 

This subject is one of the major areas of interest of the WRF and it is one of the central topics being discussed at the General Assembly in Brazil.  It has been addressed on a number of previous occasions on the WRF website, most recently on February 28, 2014, and December 12, 2014. [For these and other instances, enter the word “abuse” into the search frame on the home page of the website.]   

This individual was encouraged to create such a survey.  Another individual WRF member (also a General Assembly speaker) then reviewed the document and made suggestions.  The revised survey was presented to the WRF Executive Committee at its in-person meeting at the Philadelphia Airport Marriott Hotel on October 7, 2014.  Further changes were recommended and the final version was approved.  This survey was first sent to members of the WRF Board and, several weeks later, it was sent to all WRF members.  Responses were received between November 1, 2014, and March 13, 2015, and were tabulated between March 2 and March 13.  The results are presented below.
This report is not and does not pretend to be an ANALYSIS of the results of the survey.  It is simply a report. 
A total of 76 survey forms were returned.  They came from WRF members in the following 22 countries:
Argentina
Australia
Bangladesh
Benin
Brazil
England
France
Hong Kong
India
Kenya
Malawi
Mexico
Nepal
The Netherlands
Northern Ireland
The Philippines
Scotland
South Africa
Spain
Sri Lanka
Uganda
The USA
One interesting fact is that the number of responses received from specific countries did not seem to correspond with the number of members the WRF has in those countries.
Another interesting fact is that many respondents took the time to add sometimes lengthy and often very enlightening comments.  Every one of those comments which could be understood has been reproduced in full in the report below.  Because confidentiality had been promised to all respondents, some of the comments had to be slightly edited to remove identifying elements.  Content and meaning were always preserved and, indeed, all of the response forms have themselves been preserved for further review.
Probably the most importantly interesting fact is that ALL of the responses came from individuals who have subscribed to one of the historic Reformed confessions and to this statement: “The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments are the God-breathed Word of God, without error in all that they affirm.”
The actual number of answers to any specific question will not add up to 76 because, in a couple of cases, responses were received which contained comments but no answers to any specific questions.
What, if anything, will be done by the WRF with regard to these results will be decided by the WRF Board of Directors under its new (as of March 27, 2015) International Director, Dr. P. J. (Flip) Buys [ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ].
Questions about anything said above or about the handling of this entire survey may be directed to the retiring International Director, Sam Logan [ This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ].
This survey and its results remain the property of the World Reformed Fellowship and, while we will certainly do all that we can to facilitate the distribution of this material in ways which will build up the Church of Jesus Christ, we do request that permission be sought from either of the individuals mentioned above before the material is shared.
 
The Survey Questions and Results:

1.   My local church has a child abuse prevention policy which includes procedures for keeping children safe and reporting suspected child abuse to authorities
No   23                  
Yes   45                
I don’t know   8
Comments:
1. One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “Yes to the first part about keeping kids safe but I’m not sure if there is a procedure for how to report to authorities.”
2. One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “As laid down by our denomination,  see http://freechurch.org/resources/safeguarding .”
3.  One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “Our policy seems to fall short on stating explicitly the reporting to authorities.”

2.  My local church has a child abuse response policy which includes procedures for how to respond to alleged victims and alleged perpetrators
No  28
Yes  38
I don't know  11

Comments:

1.  One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “For victims.”
2.  One respondent who answered “I don’t know” added this comment: “We have a policy, but I don’t recall if there is a procedure for how to respond to alleged victims/perps.”
3.  One respondent who answered “I don’t know” added this comment: “We are currently updating, getting background checks, etc.”
4. One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “I'm not altogether pleased with it!”
5.  One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “Procedures of response are included in the abuse prevention policy.”
3.  My local church has held a mandatory child abuse prevention training for child care volunteers and staff in the last two years
No   39                  
Yes    29                
I don’t know  8
Comments:
1.  One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “Child care employees, not SS or VBS Volunteers.”
2.  One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “It’s compulsory for anyone working with children up to the age of 18.  The training is at least annual and must be renewed by any participant every 3 years.”
3. One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “Latest training was approx 3 years ago.”
4. One respondent who answered “No” added this comment: “Advice is included in the policy, but no specific training is arranged.”
4.  I know what governing agency to call if I suspected a child in our local church was being abused
No  8
Yes, and I would do it   43
Yes, but I would wait to get proof before calling   24
Comments:
1.  Three respondents who answered “yes” chose also to put a bold NO after the words “Yes, but I would wait to get proof before calling.”
2.  One respondent declined to choose any of the listed options and added this comment: “There are more options than these and more due diligence than these options allow for.”  
3.  One respondent checked the “Yes, but” category (and is included in that category above) but changed the phrase to read as follows: “Yes, but I would wait to be sure to have credible evidence before calling (and our church’s policy is to report first to a designated staff person who would then go to the authorities).”
4. One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “I’m a mandated reporter.”
5. One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “The Social Work Department.”
6.  One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “And many of their workers are abusers and/or drug-takers/sellers.”
7. One respondent who did not choose any one of the listed options added this comment: “Our policy is under review but currently would not seem to go far enough. It reads:
Reporting Suspected Child Abuse
The procedure for reporting any suspicion or allegation relating to any child involved in the ministries of XXX:
1.   Team members and employees shall immediately report to the Sunday School superintendent, director of evangelism and youth, pastor, or Elder Executive Committee any allegation, suspicion of abuse, or neglect of minor children (0−17 years old), of which they become aware during their duties at XXX.
2.   A Suspicion of Abuse/Incident Report form must be completed and filed with the Elder Executive Committee. These forms will be available in the Sunday School office or the office of the director of evangelism and youth.
3.   The Elder Executive Committee will assess the situation within 24 hours and will act accordingly.
 Note: All allegations, suspicions of abuse, or neglect shall be kept confidential and be discussed only by people immediately involved with the Elder Executive Committee.
[Editor’s Note: In the material immediately above, the name of the church has been xxx’d out for the sake of confidentiality.]
8. One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “It should be a reasonable suspicion.”
5.  Our local church needs additional training and/or resources to improve child protection
No   18
Yes   55
Unsure   1
If yes, check categories of needed resources
Clarifying mandatory reporting laws and procedures   38
Developing or updating child protection policies   40
Biblical and theological foundations for child protections   25
Pastoral responses to child abuse perpetrators in the church  31 
Pastoral responses to victims of child abuse   31        
Other   5
1.  One respondent who checked “Other” added this specific suggestion: “Training the children to be aware on that issue and protect themselves if they see the behavior around them.”

2. One respondent who checked “Other” added this specific suggestion: “Developing policies on how to handle those who have been convicted of crimes involving child abuse, molestation, etc. This would be especially in terms of how to welcome those who are truly repentant into the church while keeping the children safe.”
3. One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “Finishing background checks of staff and ministry leaders and workers.”
4.  One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “Guidelines to deal with guardians.”
5. One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “Holistic Child development as priority missional engagement.”
Additional general comments about this question:
1.  One respondent who checked “No,” added the comment, “Our training is audited regularly and is kept up to date.”
2. One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “In process through the denomination’s child protection unit.”  [Editor’s note: This respondent checked “Yes” in answer to question #12.]
3.  One respondent who answered “No” added this comment: “There are only 15 of us and I am the main childrens’ teacher to my daughter and the four children of my fellow elder (who are teenagers). And always done with others on the premises, usually their parents.”
6.   I believe local church staff and volunteers should submit to child abuse reporting laws even if it means disrupting the life and career of those accused of child abuse
No   3
Yes   65
Unsure    6
Comments:
1.  One respondent who answered “Unsure” added this comment: “The issue to me is ‘suspected’ child abuse versus ‘proven’ child abuse.”
2.  One respondent who answered “Yes” add this comment: “Not necessary for all staff and volunteers though.”
3.  One respondent declined to choose any of the listed options and added this comment: “Churches need to come together to develop denominational policy which explicates the denomination's understanding of state/federal laws and identifies the areas of practical application which can be followed easily and those which seem to suggest potential conflict and then to address the latter theoretically and practically so that churches can be as helpful (in the mode of common grace) to the world as possible.”
4.  One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “As long as it is in line with scriptural principles.”
5.  One respondent who answered “No” added this comment: “A current case in my Presbytery being a case in point where the burden of proof is reversed, it interrupts/ruins ministry with no indication as to the scope of the allegation given!”
6.  One respondent who answered “Unsure” added this comment: “We should maintain a biblical standard which isn’t always mirrored by the law.”
7.  I believe that a local church leader must not be publically accused of child abuse without at least two witnesses
No   20
Yes   30
Unsure  19
Comments:
1.  One respondent who answered “Unsure” added this comment: “It’s a bit more complicated than this.”
2. One respondent who answered “No,” added this comment: “No, I do not believe that. Too many people have received the benefit of the doubt and done monstrous harm under cover of assumed innocence.”
3.  One respondent who answered “Unsure” added this comment: “At least confirmation and some evidence, at least probable.”
4.  One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “However, the person must be quietly removed from ministry until the suspicions are proven false.  If there is any reason to believe that the accusations might be true, the matter must immediately be referred to the police.”
5.  The last thing you probably want are comments on the answers, but I feel I must add one here in that I feel that, whilst the onus of proof can be difficult and confusing (in that, in child abuse cases, it is generally the case that the alleged perpetrator is considered guilty until proved innocent – the opposite of normal situations), we must be wary of vexatious accusations because, in the eyes of society these days and abuse claims against churches and their officers results in an assumption of, “If there’s smoke there’s fire.”  Thus, whilst care must be taken to ensure that an abused child receives all the support and protection he/she deserves, false charges can have a devastating effect on an innocent accused.  Hence, this question leaves room for doubt as to its interpretation (although, I assume, it is the biblical requirement that is in mind here).  An accusation should not automatically lead to public accusation, but must be reported to the necessary authorities none-the-less.
6.  One respondent who declined to choose any of the listed options added this comment: “Accused by whom?  A church judicatory?  The police?  A child abused? A church member? A citizen? ---- The rules differ.  There is no "yes/no"  without this 'by whom' specification.”
7. One respondent who anwered “Yes” added this comment:  “But it may not be easy to find the witnesses and we need discernment to trust the Holy Spirit and what the child will say.”
8.  One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “True, not publically.  But this would not preclude reporting to the civil authorities in keeping with civil law.”

9.  One respondent who answered “No” added this comment: “How credible is the witness?  Would I trust myself to make that judgment by myself but not trust someone else unless it were corroborated?”
10. One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “Though, unsure what is meant by publicly accused.”
11. One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “But any report should be taken very seriously.”  
12.  One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “The idea of “witness” may need clarification as there are ways of witnessing through documentary and other forms of evidence. It should be further understood that ‘direct witness’ may not be possible since we are dealing with children, but rather witnesses of those who are able to ascertain what has happened to the child.”
13. One respondent who did not directly answer the question added this comment: “If even one person reports child abuse, the police and Church of Scotland Safeguarding Department must be informed.”
14. One respondent who answered “No” added this comment: “There are rarely witnesses to child abuse in the church. I know two children who were molested in churches. The leadership did not believe them and it really ruined their lives.”
15. One respondent who did not select any of the offered choices added this comment: “Our Policy document seems to imply that an accusation must be reported even if less than 2 witnesses are known.    But I’m not totally clear what “publically” implies:  The relevant section is as follows: 
4.4.3 If an allegation or complaint of harm or abuse is made against a Minister, Safeguarding Coordinator , or Depute
Against a Minister – the Safeguarding Coordinator should notify the Presbytery Clerk for the Minister to be suspended if appropriate and the matter to be investigated by a small sub-committee appointed by the Presbytery.  In addition, the Coordinator should follow the procedure of referral to the appropriate statutory agencies as detailed above.”
[Editor’s note: The entire policy referenced immediately above is available for downloading at this location - http://freechurch.org/resources/safeguarding]
16.  One respondent who answered “No” added this comment: “However, good communication w/ the congregation throughout the process is important.”
17.  One respondent who answered “Unsure” added this comment: “This refers not to an intra-congregational matter, necessarily, so civil law is involved ... hence my answer.”
18.  One respondent who answered “No” added this comment: “But there should be corroborating evidence. Our policy lists some of these.”
19.  One respondent who answered “Unsure” added this comment: “This question begs too many questions.”   
8.  I have witnessed probable child abuse (physical, sexual, verbal, spiritual) in the course of my ministry
No   40
Yes   31
Comments:
1.  One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “I interpret the word "witnessed" as "encountered", rather than indicating that I have seen abuse occurring in my presence.”
2. One respondent who answered “No” added this comment, “Depends on what you mean by “witnessed”, not physical or sexual but certainly verbal and spiritual.”
3.  One respondent who answered “Yes” crossed out the word “ministry” and substituted the words “life experience.”
4.  One respondent who checked neither the “Yes” nor the “No” answer added this comment: “If I’m a witness, how can it be ‘probable’?   If this means ‘have I been aware of incidents among families,’ then yes.”

5.  One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “Verbal: insults.”
6. One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “Not physical nor sexual, but verbal.”
7.  One respondent who answered “No” added this comment: “But I have ministered to those who have committed child abuse and to those who were victims of child abuse.”
8.  One respondent who answered “No” added this comment: “Not directly witnessed, I have been aware of/involved in cases.”
9.  One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “But in another ministry, NOT at my home church, and I recently resigned as a result.”
10. One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “Verbal at least and probably spiritual as well.”
11. One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “Verbal, spiritual.” 
9.  I believe the local church should be given discretion to handle abuse cases without involving law enforcement
No   52
Yes   10
Unsure  14
Comments:
1.  One respondent who answered “Unsure” to this question added the comment, “Depending on the type.”
2.  One respondent who answered “No” added this comment: “Churches have not proved themselves to be competent to develop appropriate processes of discovery or disclosure, neither have they been courageous in addressing perpetrators in their ranks.”
3.  One respondent who answered “Unsure” added this comment, “The issue to me is suspected versus probable or proven.  We obey God first and not man, and the Bible says not to bring others, especially elders, for public criticism lightly or with little or no evidence. We also are not to gossip about or slander others.”
4.  One respondent who declined to choose any of the listed options added this comment: “Given discretion by whom -- the state, the denomination... And how will that differ from Muslim or Jewish or Roman Catholic to Mormon institutional governance?  THIS question in THIS country cannot be answered apart from its being answered for all faith groups at the same time...if one seeks official discretion from the state.”  [Editor’s note: The respondent who provided this comment lives in the USA.]
5.  One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “If it is sexual, the law must be involved.”
6.  One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “But this depends again on the laws of the State in which the church resides.”[Editor’s note: The respondent who provided this comment lives in the USA.]
7.  One respondent who answered “Unsure” added this comment: “How credible is the witness, etc.  If abuse is certain, there is no doubt that the authorities would need to be notified.”
8.  One respondent who answered “Unsure” added this comment: “Depends on the situation.” 
9.  One respondent who answered “No” added this comment: “In accordance with scriptural principles.”
10.  One respondent who answered “No” added this comment: “If cases are genuinely ‘abuse’ then the authorities should be involved.”
11. One respondent who answered “Unsure” added this comment: “Our policy commits us to an initial hearing of a case if one is brought to us, but that does not imply we handle it. The policy says that the Executive Committee will respond in 24 hours.”
12. One respondent who answered “No” added this comment: “Where suspicion is reasonable it should be referred to the authorities.”
10.  I believe that child abuse is a rare occurrence in my local church community
No   19
Yes   51
Comments:
1. One respondent who answered “No” added this comment: “But this depends on what kind of child abuse to which you are referring, sexual, physical, neglect, etc.”
2. One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “(Small church, few young families).”
3.  One respondent who did not check either “Yes” or “No” added the word “UNSURE.”
4.  One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “I am unaware of any at all.”

5. One respondent who answered “Yes” added this comment: “Though rare is a relative term.”
6. One respondent who answered “No” added this comment: “Research shows that the incidence of child abuse is not rare but often goes unnoticed or unreported. It’s important to be vigilant at all times.”
7.  One respondent who answered “No” added this comment: “Child abuse is happening in our community.”
8.  One respondent who chose neither of the listed options added this comment: “Unsure. It depends on whether the stress is on the local church or local church community.”
9. One respondent who chose neither of the listed options added this comment: “Don’t know; no survey done among XXX churches.”
[Editor’s Note: The location of the churches in the preceding comment was xxx’d out to maintain confidentiality.]
11.  My local church is a member of the World Reformed Fellowship
No  56
Yes   18
12. My denomination is a member of the World Reformed Fellowship
No  28
Yes  42
Not applicable  6
Comments:
1.  One respondent who answered “No” added this comment: “But denominational Seminary is.”
13.  I am an individual member of the World Reformed Fellowship
No  5
Yes  70
Comments:
1.  Four respondents who answered “No” indicated that either his local church or his denomination or both are members of the WRF.
2.  One respondent who answered “No” is the officially-listed contact person for a WRF member organization.

General comments regarding the survey:
1.  Sam, Just a clarification. Some Asian societies often take child abuse lightly, even though it happens frequently.  You have seen ‘Slum dog Millionaire’ I am sure.  There are Christian agencies which try to rescue children from slavery and abuse.  However, I wonder how many churches have set policies to handle such abuses.  When we hear of any children being abused, we do take note and do something – usually when minor children are used as house-helps and to work in restaurants. If we were to ask the restaurant owner why he is employing underage children to do work – usually for very long hours – he would reply, the boy wants to work so that he can get a meal everyday. The country is now trying to correct some of these old practices.  Churches encourage and support any NGO that works for the welfare of children.
A recent high profile incident was when a security guard (most chains have employ such people) outside a MacDonalds outlet in our country refused a boy entrance to buy some food.  This became a national scandal.  It is a common sight to see little children outside American fast-food places selling balloons etc. to earn a little money.  A sad sight, but a reality we deal with on a daily basis.
 What can we do? 

2.  Our Government has recently introduced strong legislation under “Working With Children Check” (http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/)  and is setting up compliance mechanisms to audit all schools, public and private, and individual church congregations.   [Editor’s note: This comment comes from a respondent in Australia.]
3.  In our Church we are aware that such problems can exist but the policy is implicit and informal.
4.      The survey form is for PASTORS
6.      I am a ruling elder, but I filled it, anyway. Many WRF associates ARE NOT pastors.
7.      The form is for a local CHURCH, only
8.      I believe the same could be applied to institutional members of WRF, such educational institutions.  Answers would be somewhat different, for Institutions have guidelines, procedures and so on (I answered as a church).
9. Maybe some questions can be general – Churches and Christian Institutions, especially educational ones, and a few especially for the latter. Results could be generally tabulated, and then divided. I keep thinking that many problems of this nature, that children have faced (and that have surfaced), occurred in Educational Institutions, especially some related to mission work, because they are there, unprotected, for a long time or periods. Evangelical churches, in opposition to Catholic Churches, use little help from children, and events have multiple supervision – even church camps. Problems do occur, but I think that they are at greater danger at home (and churches have to be aware of that) than at church itself: at least this has been our experience.