Raising awareness

Awareness is the key to the prevention of sexual misconduct. When awareness is raised, persons are often able to spot and stop inappropriate conduct before it harms others.

Use these resources to help as you raise awareness in your church.

Develop a training program

Annual training sessions are one way to raise the awareness of both staff and volunteers. Someone who is familiar with sexual misconduct prevention practices should lead the training sessions. If there is no one in your congregation with this expertise, then contact local attorneys, child protective services, or counselors for assistance.

The training should be biblically based, using Scripture to remind participants of God's call for justice and compassion. Relevant passages include (but are not limited to): Exodus 22:21-23, Micah 6:8, Psalm 77:1-2, Amos 5:24, and Matthew 19:14.

"The goals of training are to ensure that staff and volunteers understand the nature of child abuse/sexual misconduct and how to respond if it becomes apparent that this behavior has occurred. Training is also useful in reviewing and modifying the church policy, as volunteers who have had experience working with the policy share their experience" ( We Won't Let It Happen Here, page 27).

Be aware of prevention techniques

There are several guidelines that will enhance the atmosphere of prevention:

• Require teachers/leaders to work in pairs.
• Know and maintain appropriate personal boundaries.
• Have written policies and procedures in place for all congregational leaders.
• Utilize both background and reference checks for staff and volunteers.

Be aware in your response

Listening to someone reveal his or her own experience of abuse is never comfortable. The person has trusted you enough to share this scary secret with you: it is critical that in your reaction you affirm the person and promise to be supportive.

The following suggestions can help you respond appropriately.

• Show the person/child that you are listening carefully and want to hear what she or he has to say.
• Avoid the temptation to assess the truthfulness of the disclosure; that is the job of trained professionals.
• Assure the person/child the abuse was not his/her fault; he or she did not cause it, no matter what the abuser may have said or done.
• Reassure the person/child that he or she did the right thing in coming to you.
• Write down what was told to you so that you can pass accurate information on to those investigating the abuse.