Introducing Ministry to survivors of sexual abuse or victims of violance
Jesus read Isaiah 61 then said this has come to pass.
It is Jesus Christ who heals the broken hearted and sets the captives free.
Foundational Model of ministry to those sinned against
The Parable of the Good Samaritian
serves as a model for ministry to those sinned against
Trigger warning
This site might not be helpful to survivors of clergy abuse. You may find these sites helpful
What to avoid
- presumption
- arguing from the particular to the general
- demanding forgiveness
- quick fixes
- authoritianism ( it may retraumatise)
- cultural conformity
- judging survival strategies
These responses have harmed survivors
and been a set back.
I am personally aware of examples.
It is helpful to :
- Be patient
- Be gentle
- compassionate
- humble
- a listener
Sexual assault is not mainly woman being sexually abused by men.
that myth was based on the REPORTED CASES when woman were more likely to report
and when men faced barriers to report and were too embarased to report.
It is estimated that in in 6 men and 25% woman
have been sexually abused by the age of 16.
there has been a societal denial.
Mandatory Reporting
In many states and countries legislation has been passed making Clergy Mandatory Reporters
once we receive a disclosure, The disclosure of the crime must be reported:
- to the Police
- and ones Church Child Protection Dept
- sometimes called Professional Standards.
If clergy are not legally required to Mandatory Report I suggest ethically and morally we should.
Many sexual abusers are repeat offenders
We have a Duty of Care to protect others
from repeat offending.
May abusers are unrepentant
and some morally reprobate.
not all abusers were abused
some are plain bullies
who manipulate others.
Our fundamental Christian Message
is to repent from our sin
to find forgiveness
and to obey God's commandments
out of love and gratitude
by His grace.
( not legalism)
here we are not ministering to
repentant sinners
but those
sinned against.
this is our challenge
returning guilt to it's owner
If I'm walking down the street (maintaining 1.5m physical distance)
and wearing my mask
and I see the pedestrian ahead drop $20
I pick it up (whilst wearing my gloves during covid restrictions)
the $20 note is not mine to keep.
I run ahead and hand the $20 note to it's owner. ( at 1m)
It is not mine.
Abusers typically ( but there are variances)
put their guilt in their victim.
but the abuser's guilt and shame
does not belong to them
It should be returned to the abusers.
( even if an imaginary transaction)
Most survivors of sexual abuse
do not become abusers.
- many are hypervigilent
- many are too numb for any sex
"Praise the Lord!
He heals the brokenhearted
and binds up their wounds"
Psalm 147 v1, 3.