Sexual Abuse Response

This article features information from MinistrySafe, an industry leader in sexual abuse prevention. Through its relationship with MinistrySafe, Texas Baptists provides resources to help congregations in their efforts to reduce the risk of sexual abuse.

Did you know that 98% of child abuse victims know their alleged perpetrator?

In Matthew 18:7, right in the middle of Jesus’ teaching about children, he makes a sobering statement.

La Biblia toma el abuso sexual en serio. Debemos denunciarlo 1) porque es la ley (en el caso de menores) y debemos someternos al gobierno que Dios ha puesto sobre nosotros para ejercer Su justicia; 2) porque como pueblo de Dios se nos pide que defendamos al oprimido y vulnerable; 3) porque al hacerlo desanimamos a otros posibles ofensores; y, 4) porque al denunciar al ofensor le proveemos la oportunidad de ver su pecado por lo que es y arrepentirse.

The Bible takes sexual abuse seriously. We should report it because it is the law (in the case of minors) and we must submit to the government God has placed over us to execute his justice, because as God’s people we are charged to stand up for the oppressed and vulnerable, because doing so discourages other would-be offenders, and because reporting the offender provides them with a chance to see their sin for what it is and repent.

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month. In Texas, 175 children are victims of abuse each day. As the body of Christ, churches and Christians have a responsibility to proactively protect children from dangerous or abusive situations.

Surviving the secret of abuse is hard, and everyone has a different way of processing their experience.

It is in this safe place within the family of God that the child is seen, heard, known and understood.

Katie Swafford, director of Counseling Services, discusses ways leaders can care for survivors of sexual abuse within the church.

Tim Watson, director of Area Representatives, shares about the important regional MinistrySafe church training workshops offered to reduce the risk of sexual abuse within the church.

During the February meeting of the Executive Board, members voted to approve the allocation of $100,000 from the J.K. Wadley Endowment Fund to continue providing to churches sexual abuse prevention training and resources through a relationship with MinistrySafe. Executive Director David Hardage addressed the recent reports on sexual abuse in Southern Baptist churches.