GEORGIA
AccessNorthGA
By B.J. Williams Editor
FLOWERY BRANCH – One local child advocacy group says most churches are not prepared to handle the responsibility of a new Georgia law that mandates pastors report child abuse that may surface in their congregations.
Steve Collins with Adults Protecting Children says House Bill 1176, passed in the legislature this year and signed into law recently by Governor Nathan Deal, is going to push churches to address the issue of child sexual abuse, but it’s an issue most are not ready to handle adequately.
“It still, unfortunately, is an issue that either is a taboo subject in too many churches or too many churches are just afraid of the issue,” said Collins.
He said Protestant churches likely will face the biggest challenge.
“It [HB 1176] will make pastors mandated reporters, which has never happened in the state of Georgia,” said Collins.
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