Creating safe churches
God intends for the church to be a safe place for all to encounter God and grow into lives of service and fulfillment. We are called to be a holy community.
As the one who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in all your conduct. (1 Peter 1:15)
Yet, we live in a broken world, and we know churches are not always a safe place. Sexual misconduct for too long has been an unspoken shame in some churches.
This website is designed to help all churches be safe churches. You'll find materials to help at each stage of the process in addressing sexual misconduct issues.The materials on this Web site will give you tools to create policies, raise an awareness of prevention practices, report misconduct and rebuild a broken trust when sexual misconduct occurs.
The Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) has had policies on sexual misconduct for over a decade. Through God's grace we've made good progress in helping all churches to be safe churches. Much work remains to be done.
With God's help, we will see a day when "justice rolls down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (Amos 5:24).
Get the Final Report of the Independent Abuse Review Panel (IARP)
The Final Report of the Independent Abuse Review Panel (IARP) of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) summarizes fact-finding inquiries conducted since 2004 into reports of past physical and sexual abuse on Presbyterian mission fields.
The IARP offers the Final Report with deep respect for each person and entity touched by the difficult issues discussed here. The purpose of gathering and reporting this information at this time is to move each of us and all of us forward toward the fullness and richness of life given to us and promised for us by God. Learn how to obtain the report.
Comments
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Oh Dani, how sad. I've worked with so many churches and have not had many who were unwilling to face the issues. Denial is real, but most realize the reality and move forward. May you find some measure of justice at some point.
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Unfortunately, many individuals within our churches are still afraid to face these issues head on. You just don't hear about it because those of us who speak out are punished by church leaders who don't want to be responsible for a) their duty as mandatory reporters, and subsequently b) their failure to protect children and other vulnerable members of the church community, which leads to c) a smear campaign against another mandatory reporter in the church who does her duty and reports suspected sexual misconduct by an adult church member with a minor to local authorities. I have had my certification as "ready for ordination" rescinded by the CPM on the recommendation of my pastor. I tried and tried, but I could not convince my pastor and my fellow elders on session that we had no choice but to report the incident. Ultimately, my conscience would not allow me to remain silent. I have lost my future in ministry with PCUSA, many people at my home church believe the smear campaign, or are at least confused by it, and so I have no safe place to worship. The other ministers of all the PCUSA churches in our area are now either directly or indirectly involved, as I have filed four complaints with regard to this matter. I was offered the opportunity to sign a paper withdrawing myself from candidacy in order to avert the CPM's action. I was also assured that when CPM refers the matter to Presbytery, that the item will be placed on the consent calendar to "spare me having to face the Presbytery." I declined these two "kindnesses" and filed my complaints in accordance with the Book of Order. I have been pressured to find another denomination, but if I do, all of this will be swept under the rug; the team investigating my accusations would have to drop everything if I leave the PCUSA. It would be as though nothing ever happened. You probably don't want to believe all this. I wish it were not true. Just in case you are wondering, my faith sustains me, I am joyful in the Lord even as my heart is breaking. God's Holy Spirit is with me, and comforts me. I feel God's face shine upon me, and in God's love, I find my peace. Please pray for all people struggling with making the tough, unpopular decisions, that they may protect the weak, if even at the cost of their own social and professional standing. God bless us all.
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Have you some congregational sexual misconduct policies you might share with the all the congregations that now all are required to write and approve them? Thanks.
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i enjoyed reading the articles and thank god that we as a church are not afraid to face these issues head on!