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“Since only .001 percent of all deaths occur in church, we can easily be lulled into thinking that such things could never happen to us. And yet the sad truth is, such things can and do happen to us. Churches are particularly vulnerable.” - Michael Jackson with the Enrichment Journal.
When gun violence occurs in public places, church members may wonder, “What if gun violence were to occur at my place of worship?” Are our churches prepared to deal with this type of crisis?
“If abuse is mentioned at all, it’s not going to be about male victims—theirs is a disenfranchised grief. It is not socially acknowledged, publically mourned, or homiletically addressed.”
Male survivors of sexual abuse need to understand and be reassured that healing is possible.
"The Long Journey Home provides important and timely information and advocacy for the men and women living with the devastating effects of sexual abuse and rape."
"Disclosure may feel like betrayal, and the child experiences ambivalence, particularly if disclosure means the child loses a loved family member. Disclosure is a complex process and does not rest on one factor alone.” - MOSAC
It is important to balance safety and risk with the rights and autonomy of individuals living with disabilities. This can be challenging and confusing, especially for caregivers, but it is important that the right balance be struck.
What do you think churches should do to provide a safer environment for individuals with disabilities?
In the pictures, people look happy, hiding the fact that many are forced, manipulated or threatened to produce them. Children are exposed to graphic images as they do their homework. Marriages, relationships, and individuals are harmed by its use. Yet we don’t talk about it. Internet pornography doesn’t belong in Christian community
Churches and church leaders should have a well-developed relationship with the local shelter and know what services are available for victims of domestic violence.
“It is important for all organizations to admit that some degree of risk is inevitable in their programs. It is how they handle the risk that is important." - Volunteer Canada
Unfortunately, it is in the context of close interpersonal relationships that persons with intellectual disabilities are often abused. Because of these potential risks, Friendship Ministries has developed model guidelines for churches to follow in preventing abuse.
In evangelical churches, the person most likely to be the first contact of an abused spouse will be the pastor. That is why it is so important that pastors know how to respond and how to refer appropriately.
To make churches safer places, leaders must begin by recognizing that some families in the congregation may be experiencing violence. You can't tell from the outside which families are affected.
“The classis safe church team saved my ministerial butt,” was how one British Columbia pastor put it. Within one week of arriving in his new charge, he was informed that an allegation of abuse had been made against the pastor that preceded him.
We slog away in meetings, we write safe church policies, we try to get our ministers to preach on safe church issues and abuse prevention. Some days, we wonder if it is even making a difference. And then we hear a story like that of ...
Individuals who have experienced emotional abuse often suffer from “a crushed spirit.” The wounds caused by emotional abuse may not be visible to the human eye, but they leave an indelible mark on the human heart.
Outings, retreats and social events at the church can be fun for children and youth. However, fun can turn into tragedy if supervision is inadequate. How can your church provide supervision that will ensure the least risk possible?
Despite the abundance of evidence showing that teen dating violence is a serious issue in North America, awareness of the problem is low. According to The Rave Project, teen dating violence is more common than you might think. Here are some surprising facts about teen dating violence...
Power removed from love is, as Martin Lurther King, Jr. stated, “reckless and abusive.” Trace back almost any story of abuse – whether in churches, families, institutions, or society – and you will find corrupted power, a deadly force.
There is a widespread misconception that the sole task of Safe Church Ministry is to help victims and deal properly with abusers after incidents have been reported. This is only partly true. Safe Church Ministry also works to prevent abuse from happening and to protect pastors, youth leaders and volunteers.
Imagine your reaction if you heard the news that fire had damaged your church and many people were injured. Now just change the circumstances. What if you found out that several children in your congregation had been sexually abused by a convicted pedophile at church functions and that your church did not have a proper Safe Church Policy?
What happens when, upon release, a convicted sex offender joins (or re-joins) a congregation? To date, my experience has taught me that there is no single “right” answer and that the process of finding the “best” answer will definitely test the mettle of a congregation and its leadership team...
Although it does vary, in most states and provinces, the age of consent is 16. Below age 16, a minor is regarded as unable to give consent; 16 or older and the minor is regarded as able to give consent. That does not mean, however, that everyone who is of age to give consent to sexual acts has given consent ...
Consent is not just permission; consent also implies that we understand the consequences of our actions. Learn more about consent in this blog and in future blogs.