Survey says one-third of Protestants expect more sexual abuse allegations

Most Protestant churchgoers feel they and their children are safe from abuse or harassment at their churches. But many seem unsure whether new cases of abuse are yet to be revealed.

A new survey released May 21 by LifeWay Research found that 1 in 3 Protestant Christian churchgoers think there are many more stories of sexual abuse by pastors that have yet to come out. 

The survey shows 32% of those churchgoers believe many more Protestant pastors have sexually abused children or teens than has already been reported. Twenty-nine percent believe there are many more unreported cases where adults were assaulted.

In both cases a similar number say they disagree or don’t know if there are more unreported cases.

Meantime 94% say teens and children are protected from abuse at their churches, according to the survey. Ninety-three percent say adults are protected.

“When they’re talking about their own church the confidence level is really high,” said Scott McConnell, executive director of LifeWay Research. “But still there’s this perception that there’s a wave (of reports about abuse) coming.”