How Hilary Scarsella Calls the Church to End Sexual Violence
0 comments
495 views
In a powerful blog, Hilary Jerome Scarsella reflects on what she has experienced and witnessed in the years following her sexual assault on the campus of her seminary. These calls to the church to end sexual violence are important hear as Synod 2019 discusses the recommendations from the Abuse of Power committee.
Hilary Jerome Scarsella wrote the blog nine days after returning to the campus of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary where she had been sexually assaulted nearly a decade ago. A year ago, she requested that the school facilitate a review of actions taken, actions that had failed both her, the school, and God’s call for right and just relationships. “These meetings were the culmination of the review process. I arrived on campus knowing already that the seminary had corroborated my account, that they agreed that the original administrative response to my disclosure was unacceptable, and that they wanted to do right this time around.”
You are encouraged to read Hilary’s whole blog, “Hope and the Work that Gets Us There,” as she invites us to “Dance with what’s here, make it your own, advocate for me and for you and for all the people who need the church and the academy to get it fully together with respect to sexual violence.” Pay particular attention to these themes:
We thank Hilary and others who have experienced abuse for sharing their stories and for calling the Body of Christ to be communities of justice and compassion. May God continue to lead us.
Safe Church
Safe Church
Youth Ministry, Safe Church
Connect to The Network and add your own question, blog, resource, or job.
Add Your Post
Let's Discuss
We love your comments! Thank you for helping us uphold the Community Guidelines to make this an encouraging and respectful community for everyone.