Frequently Asked Questions

The Church Misconduct Database (CMD) is a searchable collection of documented misconduct cases involving individuals within church and Christian settings. It is designed to promote transparency and help organisations make informed safeguarding decisions.

All records in the database are compiled from publicly available information. This includes published news reports, court records, charity commission filings, official church statements, regulatory body findings, and other sources that are freely accessible in the public domain.

We do not use private, leaked, or confidential information. Every record is based on information that is already publicly accessible.

All submissions go through an administrative review process. Administrators check the supporting source documentation before a record is approved. Verified records are clearly marked within the database to give users confidence in the information they are reading.

Despite our best efforts, we cannot guarantee that every piece of information is complete or fully up to date. If you spot an error, you can flag the record for review.

Yes. There are two ways to submit information:

• Registered users can submit records directly from their dashboard. Submissions must include supporting source material.
• Anonymous reports can be submitted by anyone via our Report Misconduct page — no account required. When you start typing a name, the form will automatically check the database for existing records to help avoid duplicates.

All submissions are reviewed by an administrator before publication. Reports backed by news articles, court documents, or official findings are prioritised.

Every record has a flag option that allows registered users to report inaccuracies. When a record is flagged, it is reviewed by an administrator who will update or remove the information as appropriate.

We take data accuracy seriously and welcome corrections from the community.

No. While we take reasonable steps to verify information, the Church Misconduct Database is provided on an "as is" basis. All data is sourced from publicly available material and may contain errors, omissions, or information that has since been updated or corrected at source.

Users should independently verify any information before relying on it for decision-making purposes.

No. The database does not make any legal determinations, findings of guilt, or judgements of any kind. Records reflect what has been reported in publicly available sources. Inclusion in the database does not imply guilt, wrongdoing, or liability on the part of any individual.

The information in the database is aggregated from third-party public sources. Digital Alibi Inc. does not originate the data and accepts no liability for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of any information held within the database.

We act in good faith to present publicly available information in a structured and searchable format. Responsibility for the original reporting lies with the original source — be that a news outlet, court system, regulatory body, or other public authority.

Removal requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If the underlying public source material has been removed, corrected, or a legal resolution has materially changed the circumstances, we will consider updating or removing the record accordingly.

Requests should be directed to our team via the Contact Us page with supporting documentation.

Yes. The database operates in compliance with UK and European data protection standards. All data held relates to information already in the public domain. Personal data is processed on the basis of legitimate interest for the purposes of safeguarding and public protection.

For full details, please refer to our Privacy Policy.

If you believe you are listed in the Church Misconduct Database, we encourage you to contact us via the Contact Us page. Please include your full name, a description of the record you are concerned about, and any supporting documentation that is relevant to your case.

All enquiries are handled confidentially and reviewed by an administrator.

The database records publicly documented allegations, investigations, and outcomes — not just convictions. Inclusion may be based on published news reports, official church disclosures, regulatory findings, or court proceedings, regardless of whether those proceedings resulted in a conviction.

The database does not make findings of guilt. Records reflect what has been publicly reported by third-party sources.

Removal requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. We may consider removal or amendment where:

• The original public source material has been retracted, corrected, or removed.
• A legal resolution has materially changed the circumstances (e.g., charges dropped, acquittal, successful appeal).
• The record contains factual inaccuracies that can be demonstrated with supporting evidence.

We will not remove records simply because they are unfavourable. The database exists to serve the public interest in safeguarding, and records based on verified public sources will generally remain.

All requests should be submitted via the Contact Us page with supporting documentation.

Yes. If your record contains factual errors — such as incorrect dates, roles, denominations, or outcomes — we welcome corrections. Please contact us with the specific details that need updating and any supporting evidence.

We aim to ensure the database is as accurate as possible and will update records promptly where errors are confirmed.

At this time, the database does not support personal statements or responses attached to records. However, if there has been a significant update to your case — such as an acquittal, a retraction by the original source, or a formal finding in your favour — we can update the status and outcome fields to reflect that.

Please provide official documentation to support any requested updates.

Any such legal action would face significant hurdles:

• The data is already public. Every record is sourced from material already in the public domain — published news reports, court records, regulatory findings, and official church disclosures. We do not originate the information; we aggregate and structure what is already accessible to anyone.
• The data is crowd-sourced. Records are submitted by members of the public referencing public sources. Compelling removal from this database would not suppress the underlying information, which remains available at its original sources.
• The platform serves a legitimate public interest. The database exists to support safeguarding decisions and operates in compliance with applicable data protection law.

For these reasons, claims seeking removal of accurately-recorded public-domain content would generally be without legal merit and could properly be regarded as vexatious.

That said, we take genuine concerns seriously. If you believe a record about you contains a factual inaccuracy, the original source has been retracted or corrected, or a legal resolution has materially changed your circumstances (e.g., acquittal, charges dropped, successful appeal), we will review and act on the matter without need for legal proceedings.

Please contact us via the Contact Us page with supporting documentation.

A limited preview of records is available via the free public search on our homepage, returning basic information only (name, denomination, and general location).

Full records — including details of the misconduct, status outcomes, and source documentation — are only accessible to registered users with a valid access code, whether complimentary or paid.

All user searches and activity within the platform are logged for accountability purposes.

There are three ways to engage with the database:

• Free public search — anyone can use the limited search preview on our homepage, no account required.
• Free access codes — journalists, researchers, small churches and charities can apply for a complimentary access code. Applications are typically reviewed within days.
• Paid access codes — for organisations needing ongoing access, codes are available for 1, 3, 6, or 12-month periods and unlock the full feature set.

You can also submit an anonymous report via Report Misconduct at any time, without registering.

Paid access codes can be purchased directly via our Pricing page, or through your organisation if your church, denomination, or safeguarding body has a partnership arrangement.

If you are a journalist, researcher, or representative of a small church or charity, you may be eligible for a free access code via our Apply for Free Access form.

No — there are free options. Anyone can use our limited public search preview on the homepage without registering. Beyond that, we offer free access codes for journalists, researchers, small churches and charities — apply via the Apply for Free Access page.

Paid access codes unlock the full feature set, including detailed records, submissions, flagging tools, and ongoing access. Paid access also helps fund the platform's infrastructure, administrative review, and ongoing development.

All registered users — paid or free — operate within the same accountability framework: searches and activity are logged to ensure responsible use.

When your access period ends, you will no longer be able to search the database or submit new records. Your account and any submissions you have made are retained. You can reactivate your access at any time by applying a new access code.

Your searches are logged for accountability and audit purposes but are not shared with other users. Only system administrators can view activity logs, and this data is handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

You can search by individual name, church or organisation name, denomination, location, or type of misconduct. Advanced filters allow you to narrow your results for more precise searching.

Data export is not available for standard user accounts. This restriction exists to protect the integrity of the data and prevent misuse. If you have a specific need for data export, please contact us to discuss your requirements.

The database currently holds records spanning the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and other regions. Coverage is growing continuously as new data is submitted and verified.

The Church Misconduct Database is developed and maintained by Digital Alibi Inc. — a safeguarding technology company focused on building tools that promote transparency and accountability in religious and community settings.