Question 1

PURPOSE OF RESPONSE

Accepted Answer

The majority of the inaccurate statements referenced above relate to third-party investigative work occurring out of the law firm of Love & Norris, the law firm founded by the principals of MinistrySafe, Gregory Love and Kimberlee Norris.

Our Response will avoid summary statements and personal attacks. Instead, we will describe who we are, what we do, and what we do not do.

For those interested in factual substance (beyond an insulting tweet), this Response will be useful. For any interested in more information or clarification, we are open to an ongoing conversation. We will not participate in social media attacks that fail to edify the Body of Christ or abuse survivors.

Question 2

WHO ARE GREGORY LOVE AND KIMBERLEE NORRIS?

Accepted Answer

We are civil trial attorneys with more than 60 years combined experience addressing child sexual abuse issues. We both serve in ministry leadership, having volunteered for more than 27 years in Student Ministry at our home church.

An independent filmmaker – intrigued by our work – created a two-episode biopic about the two of us and the work of MinistrySafe, released in November of 2021. The biopic was created completely independent of us: we had no financial participation or control over content or scripting. See In Plain Sight.

Love & Norris: the Law Firm

One element of our work is our law practice. We lead a nationwide litigation practice representing victims of child sexual abuse throughout the United States.

In addition, we provide resources and consultation to ministry and secular organizations such as churches, non-profits (adoption and foster care), private schools, camps, churches and para-church ministries, in the review, design and implementation of child protection systems. Representative consultation clients include the United States Olympic Committee, Awana International, Church of the Nazarene Global Ministries and Philadelphia Insurance Companies.

MinistrySafe/Abuse Prevention Systems

In addition to an active law practice, we are co-founders and directors of MinistrySafe and Abuse Prevention Systems, entities dedicated to sexual abuse awareness and prevention. MinistrySafe and Abuse Prevention Systems (APS) provide comprehensive training, screening, background checks and policy forms supporting safety systems that reduce the risk of child sexual abuse. MinistrySafe and APS provide these resources in a ‘self-help’ context: no legal counsel or investigative work occurs through MinistrySafe or APS.

MinistrySafe provides curriculum and training resources to seminaries across the country, including Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS), New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (NOBTS), Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary (SWBTS), Midwestern Theological Seminary (MBTS), Gateway Seminary, Rockbridge Seminary, Reformed Theological Seminary (RTS), Denver Seminary, Liberty School of Divinity and Bob Jones Seminary. We serve as Visiting Faculty at Dallas Theological Seminary where we teach the only 3-hour graduate level course currently in existence limited to child sexual abuse risk: Preventing Sexual Abuse in Ministry Contexts.

See Gregory Love DTS bio.

See Kimberlee Norris DTS bio.

See:

CBN Interview of Dr. Mark Bailey, DTS Chancellor

DTS Magazine - DTS Students Equipped to Prevent Child Sexual Abuse through MinistrySafe - 2016

Religion News Service - Dallas Seminary requires sex abuse awareness training - 2016

Dallas News - Dallas Seminary first in U.S. to make child sex abuse course a must for would-be clergy - 2016

Christian Post - Texas Seminary First in Nation to Require Students to Complete Sexual Abuse Awareness Training - 2016

Charisma News - Why These Seminary Students are Learning About Sexual Abuse - 2016

KERA News - Training Pastors to Deal with Child Sexual Abuse - 2016

MinistrySafe is endorsed by Philadelphia Insurance Companies, GuideOne Insurance, Church Mutual Insurance, the Christian Camp and Conference Association and the American Camp Association. MinistrySafe’s Sexual Abuse Awareness Training is approved by the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Departments of Insurance for Texas, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington. MinistrySafe’s Sexual Abuse Awareness Training is an approved CEU for the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI).

Both of us speak frequently at national and regional conferences for organizations such as the The Church Network, National Council for Adoption (NCFA), Christian Camp and Conference Association (CCCA), American Camp Association (ACA), Presbyterian General Assembly (PCA), Youth Ministry Institute (YMI), Society for Classical Learning (SCL), USA Track & Field, US Youth Soccer, Young Life and Hawaiian Islands Ministries.

In the course of our law practice, we’ve represented over 100 victims of child sexual abuse in civil litigation. Through MinistrySafe, we’ve trained over 2 million ministry staff members and volunteers, and currently teach the only seminary class in existence specifically addressing child sexual abuse risk in ministry contexts.

Question 3

VICTIM-CENTRIC APPROACH

Accepted Answer

The primary statements advanced by our critics are that MinistrySafe (and its principals) is Organization-Centric (motivated by protecting the ministry) or Abuser-Centric (motivated by protecting the perpetrator). Both statements are patently false.

Our work is, and has always been, Victim-Centric in its orientation and application.

This orientation is expressed in published materials dating as early as 2008, published by Christianity Today, and subsequently expressed in Church Executive Magazine, Baptist Press, LifeWay’s Deacon Magazine, SBC Voices, XPastor, Arkansas Baptist News, The Christian Index, and others.

Published writings specifically advocating for a victim-centered perspective include:

Reporting v. Reputation – The Danger of Prioritizing Reputation (2022)

Reporting Abuse – The Church’s Blindspot (Church Executive 2020)

Responding to an Allegation – How to Navigate a Sexual Abuse Crisis (Church Executive 2020)

Shifting the Injustice – An Unfortunate ‘NO’ Vote to S.534 (2018)

How Your Ministry Can Help Prevent Child Abuse Through a Safety System (ERLC 2018)

Sexual Abuse in the Church – Is It Ever Too Late to Call the Police (LifeWay 2018)

What Your Church Should Know About Child Sexual Abuse (Faith Talk 970 - Atlanta 2017)

Lessons from the Ditch – What to DO and NOT DO in Response to an Abuse Allegation (2015)

Christianity Today – Sexual Abuse Issues in the Church; Raising the Bar (2008)

This victim-centric approach informs the curriculum of MinistrySafe Institute (MSI), currently utilized by Dallas Theological Seminary, Liberty School of Divinity, Dallas Baptist University, and others. Specific subject matters within MSI curriculum include preparing to respond appropriately to an allegation of sexual abuse and creating a model of care for abuse survivors. The original iteration of this content was filmed in 2016.

Preview MinistrySafe Institute.

Request full access to MinistrySafe Institute: Questions@MinistrySafe.com.

A recent LiveStream Training was delivered to an audience of child-serving staff members highlighting the perils of prioritizing an organization’s image or brand over an abuse survivor or allegation: Responding Well: Reputation vs. Reporting.

Question 4

EXAMPLES OF NON-FACTUAL STATEMENTS/TWEETS

Accepted Answer

Recent Tweet:

“victims get entangled in [MinistrySafe’s] attempts to limit liability. Many such instances documented online.”

First, neither MinistrySafe nor any of its principals or employees provide any services to any organization in a position to ‘limit liability’ or negotiate an outcome. We do not not provide ANY type of service to organizations, insurers, negotiators or mediators related to liability or litigation. We do not represent organizations or ministries in civil litigation related to child sexual abuse, nor have we ever.

Second, NO such ‘instances’ exist, or are documented online or anywhere else, because these ‘instances’ have not occurred.

Recent Tweet:

“MinistrySafe is about protecting the church or institution ... and not the victim/survivor”.

MinistrySafe’s mission is to provide tools and resources that prevent child sexual abuse and protect children – resulting in fewer victims. When effective safety systems are in place, children are protected. Does the church or ministry benefit? Of course; the ministry benefits by providing a safe environment for children participating in ministry programs.

Additionally, the statement above – as worded – relies on built-in misconceptions. For a choice to be made between protecting a church and protecting a victim, sexual abuse has already occurred. Clearly, ministries must report allegations of abuse to law enforcement and child welfare agencies – regardless of the passage of time – and appropriately support those who come forward with an allegation. Every MinistrySafe instructional document, training or policy in existence advocates a victim-centric response to an abuse allegation. There is no shortage of material to fact-check this statement, as we have thirty years of content creation, both in written and video form. We invite any interested party to do so.

Finally, legal consultation occurs through the law firm of Love & Norris. In the course of our law practice, neither of us has ever advised an organization to prioritize the organization over the victim: to the contrary, we’ve repeatedly advised the opposite.

Recent Tweet:

“MinistrySafe isn’t safe for the survivor, it’s safe for the clergy perps.”

This statement is false, repugnant and offensive, and contrary to our philosophy and ethic from the inception of MinistrySafe. As well, this statement disrespects MinistrySafe staff members, some of whom are sexual abuse survivors.

Anyone who has actually participated in MinistrySafe training, or actually spoken to either of us will reiterate this view. Those who have encountered us in real life know who we are, what we stand for, and our personal (and spiritual) ethic.

Some critics may simply be mistaken; others seemed disinterested in factual accuracy.

NONE have contacted MinistrySafe for fact-checking or clarification, notwithstanding an invitation to do so.

Interested in facts or clarification? Contact us at Questions@MinistrySafe.com or 817-732-7100.

Question 5

SERVICES PROVIDED & NOT PROVIDED

Accepted Answer

For clarity’s sake, we will describe the types of work we do and DO NOT DO.

Child sexual abuse is a multi-faceted issue that requires a variety of professional backgrounds, educational degrees, licensure and experience. Child sexual abuse involves the work of experienced forensic investigators, skilled criminal prosecutors, trained counseling professionals, professional risk managers, standard of care experts and others.

We (Gregory Love and Kimberlee Norris) are standard of care experts working to equip child-serving ministries to PREVENT and REPORT child sexual abuse. Our legal work with victims is characterized by compassion and sensitivity, but neither of us are licensed professional counselors equipped to provide ongoing counseling care or therapeutic milieu.

Legal Representation Provided by Love & Norris

Together, we have 60+ years of civil trial experience litigating child sexual abuse cases. Since 1991, we’ve litigated child sexual abuse cases on behalf of victims. We have never represented a defendant in litigation alleging sexual abuse. We use this same skill set and standard of care expertise to create preventative resources offered through MinistrySafe.

Legal Work NOT Provided by Love & Norris

Notwithstanding Twitter soundbites to the contrary, we have never represented a defendant – directly or indirectly – in litigation brought by a sexual abuse victim. Similarly, we have never represented a sexual abuser in any context.

We have never served as insurance defense or insurance-appointed counsel in a sexual abuse lawsuit. Our law firm does not, has not and will not serve as litigation defense counsel for any organization, church, denomination or insurance carrier. Notwithstanding periodic requests, neither of us have ever served as a testifying or consulting expert on behalf of an organization sued for child sexual abuse.

To reiterate: we have never represented a defendant in a lawsuit brought by a sexual abuse victim.

The legal advice and guidance provided by our firm to child-serving organizations is always victim-centered and painstakingly consistent with relevant local, state and federal law. We decline to provide counsel to any organization seeking to avoid reporting requirements or engage in ‘cover up’ in any form.

Question 6

SUING CHURCHES OR MINISTRIES

Accepted Answer

Some critics allege that MinistrySafe isn't victim-centered because we won’t sue churches or Christian ministries on behalf of victims. We freely acknowledge that litigation is a great motivator, it’s simply not OUR work in this realm, although we regularly refer individuals to competent legal counsel. Instead, our role is to equip ministries with effective preventative measures.

In our litigation practice, we have represented over 100 victims of child sexual abuse in litigation against religious cults.

See Statements from sexual abuse survivors describing their experience with MinistrySafe or Love & Norris.

Interested in facts or clarification? Contact us at Questions@MinistrySafe.com or 817-732-7100.

Question 7

‘CONCILIATION AGENCY’

Accepted Answer

Notwithstanding statements to the contrary, neither MinistrySafe nor the law firm of Love & Norris have ever provided services as a ‘Conciliation Agency’.

Question 8

ABUSE PREVENTION vs. ABUSE RESPONSE

Accepted Answer

Negative opinions about child sexual abuse are frequently expressed without precision, in part because many abuse survivors are angry at how a church or ministry has responded. In many contexts, the anger and frustration are warranted: the Church tends to be left behind current standards of care related to sexual abuse prevention, reporting, and response.

Failure to Prevent Abuse

When a child is sexually abused in a ministry setting by a staff member or volunteer, the ministry has failed to provide a safe environment for the victimized child. If the ministry failed to adequately train, screen or supervise the abuser, the ministry is at fault, both legally and morally.

Failure to Response Well

When a child (or adult) communicates an allegation of sexual abuse to ministry leaders and isn’t believed and supported – whether the allegation relates to behavior INSIDE or OUTSIDE the ministry (i.e. from the child’s ‘core world’), the ministry has failed.

This failure commonly includes failure to report to relevant law enforcement or child protection agencies. In some cases, ministries have failed to take steps to remove the abuser, or notify the abuser’s subsequent ministry employer. In these types of failures, ministry leaders have acted to prioritize the abuser or the organization, rather than the interests and well-being of the victim, OR the interests of other children who may be victimized by the same abuser in future.

Every ministry must proactively PREVENT sexual abuse and properly RESPOND to allegations or suspicions of abuse. In many cases, both failures may be avoided if the underlying abuse is prevented at the outset.

Services Provided by MinistrySafe

The primary mission of MinistrySafe is prevention of child sexual abuse. MinistrySafe provides comprehensive training, screening forms, policies, and an online system of prevention.

Learn more about MinistrySafe.

Services NOT Provided by MinistrySafe

MinistrySafe provides training and resources related to abuse reporting and allegation response, but does NOT provide legal counsel. When a legal consult is requested, the individual or entity is directed to the law firm. All training and resources related to abuse reporting and allegation response are specifically and intentionally victim-centered, an approach dating back to the inception of MinistrySafe.

Access MinistrySafe’s video tutorial: Sexual Abuse Reporting.

Question 9

LEADER FEEDBACK

Accepted Answer

Given that MinistrySafe has worked with faith-based and secular entities for decades, it’s valuable to ask: what do ministry leaders think? Note that none of the critical statements has arisen from a ministry leader who has or is using MinistrySafe resources.

Access Ministry Leader Feedback.

Question 10

INVESTIGATIONS

Accepted Answer

To the extent any specific criticisms are attempted, they appear to relate to the investigative work undertaken by the law firm. Looking at the context of these statements, it’s clear that the negativity is focused around investigations undertaken by MinistrySafe founder Kimberlee Norris (and her staff) since 2018. As a result, Ms. Norris would like to respond to these comments:

I’ve been practicing in the realm of child sexual abuse issues for 31 years, representing victims of child sexual abuse in civil litigation. We’ve never represented a defendant in a child sexual abuse lawsuit. On the preventative side, I’ve provided legal counsel to secular and ministry child-serving organizations for decades. Beginning in 2012, I (with my support staff) began providing third-party investigations of sexual abuse allegations, primarily in ministry settings.

I brought to these investigations the same litigation prep skills necessary in actual litigation: find and validate evidence of wrongdoing.

The false and defamatory statements began in 2018, at which point I had been practicing law in this realm for 28 years.

In the course of our third-party investigations, I’ve made the following recommendations to ministry leaders, without exception:

- BELIEVE the victims: FALSE ALLEGATIONS ARE RARE.
- FIRE the bad actor.
- REPORT criminal behavior to law-enforcement, regardless of the passage of time.
- Offer counseling with a licensed professional counselor of the victim’s choice, at the ministry’s expense.
- Admit bad behavior where it has occurred, and apologize to those harmed by it.
- Communicate the outcome of the investigation to the victims themselves, as well as the congregation or ministry stakeholders.
- Create accountability and supervision for future behavior of staff members or volunteers, so this doesn’t happen again.
- Put preventative protocols in place: train and screen your staff members and volunteers.

In every investigation to date, these recommendations have been received and implemented.

I have never undertaken a third-party investigation which failed to reveal bad acts or support abuse survivors. In fact, following one investigation, the bad actor sued the church and referenced my investigation as inappropriately victim-centric in legal filings.

See:

Report submitted to authorities by Kimberlee Norris in the aforementioned investigation.

USA TODAY article regarding the aforementioned investigation.

In every investigation, I have communicated a victim-centered perspective to leaders, treating every victim with respect and dignity. I’ve told every abuse survivor I’ve encountered: I BELIEVE YOU. (In the course of my investigative work, I’ve encountered one individual alleging abuse whom I did not find to be credible. ONE.) My advice to child-serving organizations is, and has always been, victim-centered; any statements to the contrary are simply false.

In the past, I have sought direct communication with many of those posting negative content about me, my life’s work, any investigative outcome or training content. Others have attempted the same. Without exception, those who have posted negative content have refused direct communication in any form.

I’m not active on social media, but I am open to constructive communication, including criticism, from anyone who wishes to share his or her perspective about what best advances prevention of child sexual abuse and proper response to abuse allegations. To that end, I offer again: if you have a negative perspective or desire clarification, please reach out to me directly – LET’S TALK. I suspect there is common ground.

If you are not willing to speak directly, why?

You may reach me here (at the law firm):

Kimberlee Norris

kdnorris@lovenorris.com

817-732-7100

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