8 Nov 2024, 11:00Pastor Les Ackie, BUC Family Ministries and Safeguarding Director
If You See Something, Say Something - Responding to Abuse
Recent shocking revelations in the national press have rocked the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the British Union Conference to its foundations and sent reverberations around the world Church. The exposure of evil in our community of faith is a sobering reminder that we ought to "Be sober, be vigilant; because [our] adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
If we ever could, we can no longer take false comfort in believing that abuses uncovered in other denominations are not present among us. In 2021, the government-commissioned Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) reported that some religious organisations in England and Wales were "morally failing" children. Those failings included victim-blaming, not openly discussing matters of sexuality, abuse of power by religious leaders, men dominating the leadership, mistrust of non-religious agencies, and misusing the concept of forgiveness. While the Adventist Church was not included in the investigation, the report makes uncomfortable reading for those charged with protecting the vulnerable in our congregations. We bear a heavy weight of responsibility if we increase trauma for those already traumatised by failing to guard against abuses or respond inappropriately to victims of abuse.
Like ravenous wolves, abusers target those they perceive to be weak and defenceless. It is a disconcerting and, yet unsurprising reality that perpetrators seek to operate in organisations where the vulnerable are accessible. Their nefarious activities meet with greater success in poorly regulated contexts. It is our responsibility to make our churches hostile environments for would-be abusers. This requires spiritual discernment, vigilance and a robust adherence to best safeguarding practices.
The old adage admonishes that "All that glitters is not gold." Since the serpent groomed Eve in the Garden of Eden, evildoers have utilised devious tactics to secure their prey. Grooming is patterned behaviour designed to increase opportunities for abuse. The Psalmist provides an apt description of the abuser - "His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords" Psalm 55:21.
Groomers groom not only their targets but also the people around their potential victims, ingratiating themselves with those whose trust they so callously plan to betray. Solomon warns, "He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself; when he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart" (Proverbs 26:24).
While we can never guarantee that abusers will never practice their evil intent, we can do everything within our power to minimise the risk by adhering to the policies, procedures and guidelines in Safeguarding Our Church. Education and training increase our ability to recognise the signs of abuse and equip us with what to do when we suspect it may be occurring. Abuse takes many forms, including physical, emotional and spiritual. It may be characterised by an ongoing pattern of behaviour designed to control, intimidate, manipulate and subjugate. It occurs when a victim's personhood, dignity, self-worth, autonomy and sense of safety are regularly undermined, denied, criticised, or crushed. The impact on victims is devastating. In the words of Shakespeare, "The evil that men do lives after them." Long after abusers have passed off the scene, the trauma they inflict can blight a victim's capacity to live an abundant life.
As rank evil as abuse is, it is all the more heinous when committed by those who misrepresent the name of Christ. C S Lewis said it well when he penned, "Of all bad men, religious bad men are the worst." Abuse in religious contexts represents the most egregious breach of trust because God designed church and family to be havens of safety above all other institutions. For the sake of the innocent, we have a solemn responsibility to be places of refuge - to provide comfort, affirmation, protection and a place to heal.
The ethos of our safeguarding policy is that the safety of children and adults at risk is our paramount concern. Safeguarding covers the specific actions we take to protect children and adults at risk from abuse. Proverbs 27:12 states, "The prudent see danger and take refuge" (NIV). Combatting abuse is everybody's responsibility. Research indicates that significant barriers to safeguarding include fear of reprisal, misplaced priorities, undue deference to church leaders, shame culture, apathy, denial and a lack of knowledge about how to respond.
No matter how slight our concerns are, we must exercise the courage to speak up. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Reporting a concern does not necessarily require reporting to the police or statutory authorities. However, designated safeguarding leads must evaluate any potential risk in consultation with the pastor (see the flowchart below).
We need to talk.Safeguarding should be a permanent agenda item on our church boards. As church leaders, we must send a clear, unwavering message to survivors and perpetrators alike that the Adventist Church is committed to zero tolerance of abuse. We must fulfil our responsibilities as shepherds of the flock, which includes holding abusers accountable. Our churches must be sanctuaries in the truest sense, and we, as leaders, must ensure this.
Policies and procedures are vital in creating a secure environment for the vulnerable. Still, victims will not come forward unless we create a safe space that gives them confidence that they will be believed and supported. To remain indifferent and unresponsive in the face of abuse is to condone and perpetuate abusive behaviour. We must "Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable" (Proverbs 31:8 CEB).
Recent shocking revelations in the national press have rocked the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the British Union Conference to its foundations and sent reverberations around the world Church. The exposure of evil in our community of faith is a sobering reminder that we ought to "Be sober, be vigilant; because [our] adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour" (1 Peter 5:8).
If we ever could, we can no longer take false comfort in believing that abuses uncovered in other denominations are not present among us. In 2021, the government-commissioned Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) reported that some religious organisations in England and Wales were "morally failing" children. Those failings included victim-blaming, not openly discussing matters of sexuality, abuse of power by religious leaders, men dominating the leadership, mistrust of non-religious agencies, and misusing the concept of forgiveness. While the Adventist Church was not included in the investigation, the report makes uncomfortable reading for those charged with protecting the vulnerable in our congregations. We bear a heavy weight of responsibility if we increase trauma for those already traumatised by failing to guard against abuses or respond inappropriately to victims of abuse.
Like ravenous wolves, abusers target those they perceive to be weak and defenceless. It is a disconcerting and, yet unsurprising reality that perpetrators seek to operate in organisations where the vulnerable are accessible. Their nefarious activities meet with greater success in poorly regulated contexts. It is our responsibility to make our churches hostile environments for would-be abusers. This requires spiritual discernment, vigilance and a robust adherence to best safeguarding practices.
The old adage admonishes that "All that glitters is not gold." Since the serpent groomed Eve in the Garden of Eden, evildoers have utilised devious tactics to secure their prey. Grooming is patterned behaviour designed to increase opportunities for abuse. The Psalmist provides an apt description of the abuser - "His speech was smooth as butter, yet war was in his heart; his words were softer than oil, yet they were drawn swords" Psalm 55:21.
Groomers groom not only their targets but also the people around their potential victims, ingratiating themselves with those whose trust they so callously plan to betray. Solomon warns, "He who hates, disguises it with his lips, and lays up deceit within himself; when he speaks kindly, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart" (Proverbs 26:24).
While we can never guarantee that abusers will never practice their evil intent, we can do everything within our power to minimise the risk by adhering to the policies, procedures and guidelines in Safeguarding Our Church. Education and training increase our ability to recognise the signs of abuse and equip us with what to do when we suspect it may be occurring. Abuse takes many forms, including physical, emotional and spiritual. It may be characterised by an ongoing pattern of behaviour designed to control, intimidate, manipulate and subjugate. It occurs when a victim's personhood, dignity, self-worth, autonomy and sense of safety are regularly undermined, denied, criticised, or crushed. The impact on victims is devastating. In the words of Shakespeare, "The evil that men do lives after them." Long after abusers have passed off the scene, the trauma they inflict can blight a victim's capacity to live an abundant life.
As rank evil as abuse is, it is all the more heinous when committed by those who misrepresent the name of Christ. C S Lewis said it well when he penned, "Of all bad men, religious bad men are the worst." Abuse in religious contexts represents the most egregious breach of trust because God designed church and family to be havens of safety above all other institutions. For the sake of the innocent, we have a solemn responsibility to be places of refuge - to provide comfort, affirmation, protection and a place to heal.
The ethos of our safeguarding policy is that the safety of children and adults at risk is our paramount concern. Safeguarding covers the specific actions we take to protect children and adults at risk from abuse. Proverbs 27:12 states, "The prudent see danger and take refuge" (NIV). Combatting abuse is everybody's responsibility. Research indicates that significant barriers to safeguarding include fear of reprisal, misplaced priorities, undue deference to church leaders, shame culture, apathy, denial and a lack of knowledge about how to respond.
No matter how slight our concerns are, we must exercise the courage to speak up. It is always better to be safe than sorry. Reporting a concern does not necessarily require reporting to the police or statutory authorities. However, designated safeguarding leads must evaluate any potential risk in consultation with the pastor (see the flowchart below).
We need to talk.Safeguarding should be a permanent agenda item on our church boards. As church leaders, we must send a clear, unwavering message to survivors and perpetrators alike that the Adventist Church is committed to zero tolerance of abuse. We must fulfil our responsibilities as shepherds of the flock, which includes holding abusers accountable. Our churches must be sanctuaries in the truest sense, and we, as leaders, must ensure this.
Policies and procedures are vital in creating a secure environment for the vulnerable. Still, victims will not come forward unless we create a safe space that gives them confidence that they will be believed and supported. To remain indifferent and unresponsive in the face of abuse is to condone and perpetuate abusive behaviour. We must "Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable" (Proverbs 31:8 CEB).
