Editor’s note: This letter is in response to a request for comment regarding a story about whether or not clergy should be mandated reporters.

To the editor:

A statement regarding proposals to adopt laws mandating clergy to report child sexual abuse.

In a time of deep national division, I believe this is a topic where we can all come together around what is important. I trust that everyone who is part of this discussion viscerally hates child sexual abuse, believes it is a terrible wrong, and wants to further a society that protects and preserves “the least of these.”

As a father of three young children, this issue cuts particularly deep for me. As a future legislator, the question I am asking is, what legal framework will best protect the most vulnerable among us?

We want to create environments for children where responsible adults observe and respond to signs and symptoms of abuse. “Mandatory reporting”, as it is known, creates a broad network of vigilant advocates who are watching out for our kids and are compelled to report concerns to governmental authorities tasked to investigate potential abuse. The list of mandated reporters includes teachers, psychologists, medical providers, and many more in the lives of our children. This is a good thing, and I wholeheartedly support it (and I’ve frankly never met a person who doesn’t.)

As a society, we also have a compelling interest in preserving safe places where children can speak in confidence to a responsible adult about their life, a place outside of which their words can never be repeated. Sadly, most child abuse occurs within existing relationships. And whether or not it’s rational, abused children often feel a strong desire to protect the identity of their abuser.

If a child suspects that her cleric will turn around and call the State Police, she will likely be unwilling to speak a word of her abuse to her spiritual advisor. I am close friends with multiple adults who experienced sexual abuse as children and felt this way. The only person on the planet they were initially comfortable confiding in was their pastor, and that conversation initiated a profound process of healing and recovery.

While well-intended, laws that force clergy to join the existing “mandatory reporting” network will have the unintended consequence of compelling many abused children to hide their story away from the sole remaining place they can share it in absolute confidence. I invite all those in our community to join me in advocating the preservation of that space for the well-being of our precious children.

Teachers, therapists, physicians, and clergy all have a role to play in the protection of abused children. My contention is that religious ministers of all faiths have a distinct and necessary societal role in this shared mission, and our laws should continue to respect that distinction. In this way, we provide children and families with the best opportunity to prevent, identify, and heal from the devastation caused by abuse.

Ben Hull

Madrid

Candidate for St. Lawrence County Legislature