Church Speaks out Following Youth Minister Sex Abuse Charges

TWC News
June 9, 2015

http://www.twcnews.com/nys/rochester/news/2015/06/9/youth-ministry-volunteer-church-statement.html

A local church is speaking out after one of its former church-group leaders was indicted on sex abuse charges.

Roy Battle, 36, is accused of having inappropriate sexual relations with two teenage boys.

Battle was a youth ministry volunteer between 2005 and 2012 before moving to California. The Open Door Baptist Church says it has been working with the Rochester police department and Monroe County district attorney's office since allegations surfaced in 2014.

The church says Battle, like all Youth Ministry workers, go through background checks and receive training to adhere to a strict code of conduct. It goes on to say Battle was never as a paid church staff member nor was ever considered a Pastor.

The church says according to police reports, all instances of sexual abuse allegedly happened at Battle's home in Rochester and did not take place on church property or at any church events.

The church will protect the identities of any additional victims who come forward.