Washington Legislature approves requirement for clergy to report child abuse

Washington state lawmakers approve child abuse report requirement for clergy

Washington state lawmakers approved Senate Bill 5375, requiring clergy to report child abuse, even if learned through confession. This would align them with other mandated reporters like educators and medical professionals. The bill has sparked controversy, particularly within the Catholic Church, where breaking the seal of confession results in excommunication, and some clergy say they are willing to face jail rather than violate this sacramen…

Bill to make clergy mandatory reporters of abuse advances in Washington

OLYMPIA, Wash. — A bill that would require clergy members to report child abuse or neglect, even if disclosed during confession, has been passed by the Washington legislature.

Everything Church Leaders Need To Know About Mandatory Reporting Laws

Every state has a mandatory reporting law for child abuse on the books. But many pastors and church leaders are unaware of these statutes, let alone their need to comply with them.

Washington Legislature approves requirement for clergy to report child abuse

Washington is poised to require clergy members to report child abuse or neglect, even when it is disclosed in confession. Read more...

Experiences of mandated reporting among family therapists: a qualitative analysis

Mandated reporting of child abuse by Family Therapists (FTs) has been examined by the authors in two previous studies. The first study found that mandated

Washington bill ends clergy loophole: Confessions no longer shield child abusers

This newsletter is free, but it’s only able to sustain itself due to the support I receive from a small percentage of regular readers. Would you please consider becoming one of those supporters? You can use the button below to subscribe to Substack or use my usual Patreon page!Subscribe nowThe state of Washington is a signature away from adopting a law that would require clergy members to report child abuse to law enforcement authorities if they…