A state law exists requiring clergy – including church staff - to report child abuse and neglect.   The South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) and South Carolina Educational Television (ETV) has produced an educational session on the law and how it affects church staff.

Church staff may contact the South Carolina Baptist Convention building at (800) 723-7242, extension 4020, with specific questions about the law.

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In 2003, when a new state law was passed requiring clergy and church staff to report child abuse and neglect, SC Educational Television partnered with DSS and the SC Baptist Convention to offer a simulcast training for mandated reporters.

During the presentation by Pamela Bond from the Center for Child and Family Studies at USC College of Social Work, she identified who must report child abuse and neglect, when, where and how to make a report, and what happens when a report is made.  The training is available on DVD with all pertinent documents, such as the agenda of the presentation and a handout explaining the law.

The cost per DVD is $10.  For more information about the law or DVD, contact Roger Orman of the SC Baptist Convention at (800) 723-7242, ext 4020.