Churches must improve child protection procedures

Churches must ensure their child protection procedures are the
best possible, Nigel Williams warned today, writes
Clare Jerrom.

The children’s commissioner for Northern Ireland said
churches needed to build on the contribution they make through
children’s and youth organisations and take a lead in child
protection.

“The problem that we face is that some Christians do abuse
children; that some clergy can abuse children; that some church
leaders abuse children,” said Williams.

“If we are to develop effective child protection policies
we must start from the point that those within the church can be
abusers as much as those outside.”

Williams added that it was wholly inappropriate and arguably
illegal for churches to try and deal with allegations
internally.