The American Southern Baptist Sex Abuse Scandal
It’s no
surprise that any large group of men would be exempt from credible sexual
harassment or abuse allegations.
The
statistics are too high to imagine that 100% of large all male groups would be
free from this form of aggression.
I do not
know if the average Christian is getting used to such reports, in denial,
outraged, or what. Likely, there are mixed reactions.
The SBC
scandal offers another opportunity to take the problem of sex abuse and
harassment seriously enough to make sacred places safer.
**********
I met Sarah
Pulliam Bailey years ago and have followed her reporting. She does a thorough
job, which is why I suspect she has progressed to the WP. In her article (May 22, 2022), she opines that the almost 300
page report “is expected to send shock waves throughout a conservative
Christian community that has had intense internal battles over how to handle
sex abuse.” I hope so.
It's
disturbing to learn the way reports of abuse were handled.
Consider
the following:
The report, compiled by an organization called Guidepost Solutions at
the request of Southern Baptists, states that abuse survivors’ calls and emails
were “only to be met, time and time again, with resistance, stonewalling, and
even outright hostility” by leaders who were concerned more with protecting the
institution from liability than from protecting Southern Baptists from further
abuse.
I hope
every church member and church leader who reads the story evaluated the
policies in their own congregation. Clinicians like me have seen the
devastating effects of sexual harassment or sexual abuse on so many people,
mostly but not always, women.
The answers
to the problem are always about the same. There are no perfect ways to keep
sacred places completely safe from predators. But there are some things that
can be done.
Learn more about this scandal in the report from Guidepost Solutions.
Some safety ideas
Every
church and organization needs policies and practices concerning sexual abuse
and harassment.
Require
annual sex abuse and harassment training of all workers including volunteers.
All hires,
including volunteers, need careful screening that includes background checks
and documented reference checks.
All clergy
should undergo psychological evaluations.
All leaders
need close supervision.
Ensure that
volunteers are known as regular participatory church members for at least six
months.
Ensure that
two or more adults are present when working with children.
Ensure
children are only released to parents, legal guardians, or authorized persons using
claim check methods.
All
allegations should be investigated by experienced investigators.
Focus on
helping victims become survivors.
Speak out against
sexual abuse and harassment.
Focus on
the people God loves not on organizations.
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Warning
about naïve beliefs
in God’s protection or we don’t have such problems.
Challenge
the naïve belief that “it cannot happen here.” Too many have suffered from
abuse and harassment in a wide variety of Christian churches, schools, and
organizations.
Challenge
the naïve belief in God’s protection. Too many have suffered from abuse and
harassment in a wide variety of Christian churches, schools, and organizations.
**********
Warning
about naïve beliefs
in forgiveness and transformation of leaders who commit sexual offenses.
Untreated
sex offenders may be expected to offend again.
Treated sex
offenders may or may not offend again.
Forgiving
sex offenders does not require victim-offender reconciliation, which can be
dangerous for the victim.
Forgiving Christian
leaders who committed a sexual offense does not require restoration to the same
type of ministry or any ministry at all. Restoration should focus on restoring
wellness.
**********
Resources
Sexual Abuse
Prevention- Church Mutual
Evaluate Ministry Safe and similar
programs
Sexual
Abuse Response and Prevention
Policy
Manual for Sexual Abuse and Misconduct Prevention
Helping
to Manage the Risk of Child Sexual Abuse in Church
Note
I am a
retired psychologist who, like many of my colleagues, have evaluated and
treated numerous girls, boys, women, and men who suffered from sexual abuse and
harassment. Their pain and suffering is real. And some of them were abused by
people who identified as Christians. Their stories include abuse in Christian churches,
schools, and treatment programs.
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