Sex abuse claims stem from Tulsa megachurch

[DonViejo]

TULSA, Okla. (AP) — A 17,000-member megachurch deep in Oklahoma’s Bible Belt has been rattled by allegations that five employees waited two weeks to report the rape of a 13-year-old girl in a campus stairwell, allegedly by a church worker.

Tulsa police say the girl is among at least three victims of alleged sex crimes by two former employees of Victory Christian Center who face criminal charges. A child crimes investigator says more victims could surface as police continue to investigate.

Authorities, however, fear some parishioners in the large, tight-knit south Tulsa congregation may choose to pray about the allegations rather than provide concrete evidence.

Police said this week that the worldwide ministry’s pastor and co-founder, Sharon Daugherty, whose daily broadcasts are beamed via satellite to more than 200 countries, knew about the abuse allegations, but trusted ministry employees to follow in-house policies on reporting such incidents.

http://www.salon.com/2012/09/20/sex_abuse_claims_stem_from_tulsa_megachurch/

[enlightenment]

1. "In-house policies"?

There is really only one that matters - notify the appropriate authorities. If this "pastor" knew about the allegations and did nothing, she is as potentially guilty as the accused "former members" (Funny how they are always "former" members . . .).

[redqueen]

2. Exactly. With a crime like this ...

First you call the police.
Then sometimes after that you can find out what "in house" policy is.