Moreover , few statutes include limitation on monetary awards that stem from child sexual abuse claims . For churches , child sexual abuse is a significant , long-term risk .
Norris : More importantly , the cost to victims and their families is astronomical . The emotional and psychological harm of sexual abuse is long term , and it impacts individual abuse survivors , their spouses and families . There is no single issue with greater impact on emotional health than child sexual abuse . When a child is sexually abused by a trusted adult in the Church , he or she is likely to later feel betrayed , embittered , hurt and ultimately abandoned . Many abuse survivors struggle to trust other authority figures , especially church leaders . A close second , in terms of negative impact , is when a child tells a trusted ministry leader of abuse occurring at home , or within the child ’ s core world , and that leader fails to believe the child , report the abusive behavior to authorities , and provide support and care after the outcry . Too many ministry leaders try to address this issue ‘ within the congregation ’ or ‘ within the family ,’ which leaves the child unprotected .
# 4 : You can ’ t address a risk that you don ’ t understand What is the single most important step the Church can take ? Train your people to understand the problem . You cannot address a risk that your staff members and volunteers do not understand . When staff members have an awareness of the characteristics and ‘ grooming process ’ of the sexual abuser , they are better equipped to recognize and prevent sexual abuse .
Norris : In more than 30 years of law practice in this realm , I have yet to encounter a circumstance where no one saw anything . Instead , we encounter ministry leaders who don ’ t understand how this risk might manifest , or don ’ t really have a category for this type of behavior . In other words , “ I saw something , and it seemed odd , but I didn ’ t know what was going on .” Or , “ I heard about some unusual behavior , but I didn ’ t know who to tell , or what it might mean .” This is not , in my opinion , an intuitive risk . The Church will never be accidentally excellent at this : it takes training to understand sexual abuse , sexual abusers and abuser behaviors .
# 5 : The offender ’ s ‘ grooming process ’ is the key The grooming process of the sexual offender is known , validated and understandable . Offenders ‘ groom ’ a child for abuse : gaining access to children within the offender ’ s age and gender of preference , selecting a specific child , introducing nudity and sexual touch , then keeping the child silent . This process is recognizable , and church staff members should be familiar with the process and how it might play out in ministry contexts . churchexecutive . com STOP CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE • CHURCH EXECUTIVE 67