HELPFUL RESOURCES
RISK
Sex Offenders Groom Churches Too
Evangelical churches can also grow in understanding what kind of culture sexual abusers count on and work to create. Psychologists call it “grooming.” A proposed definition of grooming states that abusers, “… strategically manipulate the victim, their family, and the community to hide their deviant intentions and avoid detection.” The predators that are statistically likely to be in the pews, volunteering, and even behind the pulpit aren’t just grooming their victims, they are grooming their community to view them as trustworthy and even as spiritual leaders.
PREVENTION
How to Spot Sexual Abuse in Your Church
There are different stages of grooming. Learning these stages is one step toward understanding sexual abuse, but learning the stages is not enough to protect the vulnerable…So how do we learn to recognize potential threats? By listening to survivors who can inform us how abusers function, and by engaging research from experts who treat abusers, victims, and survivors.
Draw the Line: Relational Boundaries for Safe Youth Ministry
This book is devoted to screening, boundaries, strong policies, and the stories of those who have walked through youth ministry scandals and come out on the other side. We’ve talked to lawyers, youth pastors, senior pastors, psychologists, ex-students, and safety experts. Each of their perspectives brings forth a unique, important word for your church. Apply these lessons and you will reduce the risk for the church, its youth, and its staff.
PASTORAL CARE
Caring for Victims of Sexual Abuse
It’s imperative in our churches not only to openly recognize the prevalence of sexual abuse, but also to “connect the dots” to the person and work of Jesus.
Pastoral Care, Confidentiality, and Sexual Abuse
As the spiritual shepherds of congregations, pastors are viewed as trustworthy authorities and granted the privilege of caregiving in various life situations. But what should a pastor do when a congregant confides that he or she has been or is being sexually abused; or when someone in the congregation exposes instances of sexual abuse involving others?
The Trauma of Abuse and the Blessing of Repentance
The Lord blesses and protects those who are wronged; he sides with the powerless and the oppressed. He also amazingly offers grace and blessing to the oppressors who have abused power, though that blessing can only come on the far side of repentance.
Helping People Heal from Sexual Abuse
Every 98 seconds, someone in America is sexually assaulted. But there is hope and healing and freedom in Jesus! In this message, Pastor Rick interviews Kay Warren and Beth Moore about how they dealt with their own childhood sexual abuse. They discuss how to recover from the traumatic wounds of sexual abuse through the deep healing and wholeness that only Jesus can give.
These are suggested resources that you may find helpful. They are independent sources whose opinions may not reflect or represent the views or position of C4SO. Their inclusion here is not meant to imply our endorsement.