Ministers in Virginia train to identify child abuse

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HARRISONBURG, Va. -- The case study was grim: Congregants ministering door-to-door had discovered "Kate," an 8-year-old girl covered in bruises and left home alone.

The Rev. Rob Hoskins, a United Methodist pastor, had a decision to make. Should he notify child-protection authorities? Was the girl a victim of neglect?

The seminary never covered lessons like these. But now it's part of the training for Methodist clergy in Virginia.

The denomination's Virginia Conference has made its pastors "mandated reporters" to help protect children. But some worry that clergy with little expertise in identifying child abuse will make baseless claims.

Virginia Methodist leaders will spend the next several months holding three-hour training courses, like the one Mr. Hoskins and about 60 other pastors from western Virginia attended recently in a Harrisonburg church.

The sessions offer pastors tips on everything from handling anger at abusers to using simple language to help children open up, said Ann Davis, director of children's ministries for the Virginia Conference. Pastors also learn how to protect themselves -- talking to children in open spaces like parks rather than closed offices, for example.

The classes are being held one year after leaders of the Virginia Conference began requiring all clergy to report any inkling of child abuse, even if revealed in confidential settings.

The Methodists are one of several denominations that started taking a closer look at child welfare after abuse accusations rattled the U.S. Roman Catholic Church in recent years, said the Rev. Kibbie Ruth, of the California-based Kyros Ministry.

Ms. Ruth has spent two decades offering training on child abuse, sexual harassment and domestic violence through Kyros to pastors of Lutheran, Episcopal and other denominations nationwide.

"I wish I could tell you it's important because they're suddenly valuing children more," she said. "But it's mainly driven by insurance."