Clergy as Mandatory Reporters of Child Abuse and Neglect - Georgia

The Requirement for Clergy to Report 

Citation: Ann. Code § 19-7-5

When a clergy member receives information about child abuse from any other than a confession or other similar communication, the clergy member shall comply with the reporting requirements of this code section, even though the clergy member may have also received a report of child abuse from the confession of the perpetrator.

The term 'clergy' includes ministers, priests, rabbis, imams, or similar functionaries, by whatever name called, of a bona fide religious organization.

Privileged Communications

Citation: Ann. Code § 19-7-5

A member of the clergy shall not be required to report child abuse reported solely within the context of confession or other similar communication required to be kept confidential under church doctrine or practice.