Survivors Launch Protestant Database to Track Abuse

A New Tool for Safety

Protestant abuse survivors have launched a new website to track church leaders accused of misconduct. Chellee Taylor, a survivor who won a settlement against a Southern Baptist pastor, spearheaded the project. The site, called ProtestantAccountability.org, lists more than 2,700 people accused of abuse or covering it up. It includes photos, court documents, and news reports linked to the institutions where these leaders served. This database fills a gap that has existed for decades in Protestant churches.

Unlike the Catholic Church, which has several existing databases, Protestants lacked a central place to find this information. Attorney Boz Tchividjian told Taylor there was no all-encompassing site for all Protestant denominations. He consulted with David Clohessy, the former head of the Catholic abuse group SNAP, to build the idea. The goal is to let churches screen potential hires quickly and keep their congregations safe. Taylor said the site covers accusations from the 1980s up to the present day.

The website lists anyone who admitted to abuse, was convicted, or was publicly accused. It also includes those who enabled or covered up abuse at their organizations. She added that she loves what the church should be, but noted that the current reality does not match that vision.

Building the List

The team behind the site does not conduct its own investigations. Instead, they collect and organize information that is already public. A disclaimer on the landing page offers to remove any incorrect information. She expressed surprise at the size of the list, noting, “It was gargantuan, I’m not going to pretend.”

When Tchividjian first approached her with the idea in 2024, Taylor agreed immediately. She has only recently grasped the full scale of Protestantism and the number of denominations involved.

The database includes famous ministers such as Robert Morris and Johnny Hunt. It aims to help church leaders make safer hiring decisions across different congregations. Taylor stated, “I also respect that they’ve done this totally on their own.” The project relies on public records to ensure accuracy and transparency for all users.

Protecting Families and Faith

This effort comes as families look for ways to protect their children in religious settings. The site provides a way to check a leader’s history before trusting them with a congregation. It lists those who were suspended, defrocked, or convicted of crimes. The information ranges from old cases to recent allegations. According to Christianity Today, the site claims a searchable database of more than 2,700 people.

The project highlights a long-standing need for accountability in Protestant circles. For years, survivors had no single place to find this data. Now, they have a tool to help others avoid the same harm. Taylor told the outlet, “But what it is currently does not mirror that at all.” Her words reflect a desire for change without destroying the faith itself.

Families can now use this resource to ask hard questions about their church leaders. The database serves as a warning system for the wider community. It shows that survivors are taking action to fix broken systems. The list continues to grow as more public records are added. Per Christianity Today, the site includes photos, indictments, lawsuits, and news reports. This transparency offers a new path forward for church safety.

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