Most Child Molesters ‘Religious,’ Often Target Church Members

Most child molesters are often religious, frequently targeting church members, according to Victor Vieth, executive director emeritus of the Gundersen National Child Protection Training Center. Vieth warns that “hard-core” child molesters—those with multiple sexual-offense convictions, multiple victims, and younger victims—are often well-respected members of Christian congregations and actively involved as church leaders.

A study found that 93 percent of convicted sex offenders described themselves as religious. Many sexual predators view churches as “safe havens,” where trusting and forgiving adults provide easy access to children. Religious individuals may be “easier to fool” than others, and even when accusations of child sexual abuse arise, they often support the offender, vouching for their character and appearing in courtrooms to defend them.

Congregation members rarely appear in courtrooms for the young victims, noted Vieth, a child-protection attorney with 26 years of experience. He spoke at The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod’s first Workshop on Domestic Violence and Child Abuse, held at Concordia Seminary in St. Louis. The event aimed to help attendees “identify, understand and intervene” on behalf of victims.

Over 50 participants, including pastors, deaconesses, church workers, and laity, attended the free workshop. It was sponsored by the Synod’s Domestic Violence and Child Abuse Task Force under the LCMS Office of National Mission. The event followed LCMS convention action calling for programs and resources on domestic violence and child abuse.

Dr. Stephen Saunders and Sandra Ostapowich also presented at the workshop. Saunders is a professor of Psychology at Marquette University, while Ostapowich serves as conference executive for Higher Things. In remarks before the session, ONM Executive Director Rev. Bart Day expressed gratitude for participants’ willingness to engage with a “difficult topic” that affects families, schools, and church communities.

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