16 But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Luke 18:16
Child sexual abuse is a tragic reality that occurs in every community, and occasionally even occurs in our churches. Child abuse can happen anywhere. When child abuse occurs in a church, the suffering touches not only the victim and family, but also every member of the congregation. In 1996, the United Methodist Church adopted a resolution aimed at reducing the risk of child abuse in the church. Our church seeks to be a safe sanctuary where children and youth can grow in faith, and where they are protected from physical and emotional abuse. Here are a few basic truths about child abuse:
· The child victim is never responsible for causing the abuse, and the victim should never be blamed.
· The child victim is never capable of consenting to abusive behavior, either legally or morally.
· Child sexual abuse is always wrong.
About 3 million incidents of child abuse are reported each year. Abusers are more often male than female, and the abuser is known to the victim in about 82% of incidents. How should the church act to minimize the risk of child abuse? How can we make our church a safe sanctuary? Here are some suggestions:
1. The church should implement an ongoing plan to educate staff, leaders and members on the realities and prevention of child abuse.
2. The church should adopt screening procedures for staff and volunteers who work with children and youth.
3. Safety procedures should require two or more non-related adults to be present in classrooms. Windows should be installed in doors, and hallways should be monitored.
4. Children, youth, and staff should be aware of local agencies to contact if child abuse occurs.
5. The church should assist children and youth in developing awareness and self-protection skills.
Our church has written materials and a DVD on safe sanctuaries available. This past year, windows were installed in some of our interior doors. Our efforts to prevent abuse and to be a safe sanctuary are ongoing. Are you interested in helping us ensure the safety of our young people? Please contact Susan Cafferty or Sarah Kerr.
