Church Abuse Survivors Launch Massive Database Naming 2,700 Alleged Abusers Across 100 Denominations
Church abuse survivors have created a new database to help safeguard children and other vulnerable persons by making information about alleged abusers in religious communities more accessible.
ProtestantAccountability.org reportedly has details on approximately 2,700 alleged perpetrators from 100 denominations. The database contains clergy, youth pastors, worship leaders, church staff, teachers and camp counsellors.
The creators say the information comes from publicly available sources such as news reports, court records, reports from state attorneys general and survivor-led archives. The website also states that people listed are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
The database was developed to raise awareness, to uncover alleged wrongdoing and to ensure that people accused of abuse are not able to move from one congregation to another without their history being known, survivors involved in the project said.
One of the survivors, Chellee Taylor, said the project was designed to keep vulnerable people safe and prevent experiences of abuse from happening again.
The database is part of a number of online tools monitoring allegations against religious institutions. The information may be helpful to parents, church personnel, law enforcement and prosecutors, its creators said.
The campaign follows ongoing concerns over the way religious institutions deal with allegations against children and other vulnerable individuals.
Child protection advocates can help organisations to better recognise risks and improve systems to keep children safe by increasing transparency and implementing effective safeguarding procedures.
