Abuse by a Sunday School Teacher, Deacon or Church Volunteer
Free and confidential • No fee unless we recover • You decide whether to proceed
Much church abuse is committed not by clergy but by volunteers and lay leaders: Sunday school teachers, nursery workers, deacons, choir directors, bus drivers and mentors. A church that recruits and supervises volunteers owes children the same duty of care as it does with paid staff, and can be liable when it fails to screen, supervise or act on warnings.
Facts checked September 18, 2026. Sources are listed at the end of this page.
How common is abuse by church volunteers?
In 2007 the three insurers that cover most Protestant churches in the United States told the Associated Press they typically received more than 260 reports a year of young people being sexually abused by clergy, church staff, volunteers or congregation members. The insurers noted that a report is not proof of guilt, but the figures show that abuse is not limited to clergy.
What churches should do to protect children
- Background checks and reference checks before anyone works with children
- A waiting period before new members can volunteer with children
- Two adults present at all times, with windows in classroom doors
- Rules on transport, sleepovers and one-on-one contact
- Training on grooming and a clear way to raise concerns
- Removing volunteers and reporting to authorities when abuse is suspected
How a church’s safeguards affect an abuse claim
| Safeguard | Why it matters in a claim |
|---|---|
| Background check | Failing to check, or ignoring what a check showed, is strong evidence of negligent selection |
| Two-adult rule | Letting a volunteer be alone with children breaches a basic safeguard |
| Written policies and training | Policies the church wrote but did not follow show it knew the risk |
| Response to complaints | Ignoring complaints or moving a volunteer quietly supports negligent retention and cover-up claims |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I sue a church for abuse by a Sunday school teacher?
Is a church responsible for abuse by a volunteer?
Can I sue for abuse by a deacon or church elder?
What if the abuse happened in the church nursery or daycare?
Did the church have to run a background check on volunteers?
How common is abuse by church volunteers?
See all frequently asked questions
Related pages
Sources
Abused by a church volunteer, teacher or deacon? You may have a claim.
Tell us briefly what happened. The legal team will review it and explain your options, with no cost and no obligation.
- Free, confidential case review
- No legal fees unless compensation is recovered
- Share only what you are comfortable with
- Filing deadlines apply, so check your options now
Prefer to talk? Call (202) 934-2954