MinistrySafe was co-founded by attorney Kimberlee Norris, a partner in a Texas law firm which specializes in sexual abuse cases.

 The organization has begun providing training for all ministerial students at Dallas Theological Seminary.  Norris says it is inevitable that every ministry professional will encounter child sexual abuse in some way or form.

“One in four female children (and) one in six male children will have been sexual abused before he or she reaches 18 years of age, and that doesn’t skip any paradigm,” the attorney warns.

As long as churches “keep their heads in the sand” about abuse, she warns, they become an attractive place for abusers.

Borrowing a line from President Reagan, she says when it comes to protecting children, the church must trust but verify.

“My experience is in many churches there’s more due diligence required at the public school to drive to a day trip somewhere than what there is to interact with kids in many church programs,” she complains. “And that’s just not right.”