Clergy must report child abuse

New Hampshire's mandatory child abuse reporting law is vitally important because a child's ability to recover from having been abused or neglected is linked to both the severity and the frequency of the abuse. The sooner the abuse is reported and stopped, and the sooner children get help coping with their trauma, the better their chances are of a normal, healthy development.

The Children's Alliance believes that all religious leaders have the moral duty and the legal obligation under New Hampshire's Child Protection Act, to report even the suspicion of child abuse or neglect.

Connected to that belief is another: Child abusers should not be able to hide anywhere, not in a church or a confessional, not behind a white collar or flowing robes. In the Catholic Church, protection of priests and protection of the institution have been a much higher priority than the protection of children. This must stop. We support the ongoing work of the Attorney General's office to force the Catholic Diocese of Manchester to comply with a full audit of its child abuse policies.

July 20, 2005
Concord Monitor editorial calls for legislature to strengthen NH's child abuse reporting law.

July 18, 2005
State Supreme Court ruling doesn't address clergy responsibility to report child abuse. Coverage in Concord Monitor, Nashua Telegraph.

March 23, 2005
Superior Court rules that the Catholic Diocese of Manchester Diocese must submit to a full audit of its child protection policies. Coverage in the Concord Monitor, Nashua Telegraph, Union Leader.

November 16, 2004
State Supreme Court could shed light on whether religious leaders have a duty to report child abuse. Concord Monitor coverage.