SEXUAL ABUSE
CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND SPECIAL NEEDS
Protecting the MOST Vulnerable
By Gregory Love & Kimberlee Norris
In ministry programs , we make it a priority to ‘ protect the least of these ’ — the weak and vulnerable . If a child is viewed as vulnerable , then a special needs child is more vulnerable still .
In fact , a child with a disability may be the most vulnerable individual served by the Church .
Every church has a duty to employ an effective safety system to protect children . If a church serves children with special needs or disabilities , additional training is necessary , and supplemental safety protocols must be employed . When it comes to sexual abuse risk :
• The special needs child may be the highest risk individual served by the church ;
• The special needs child may be the least likely to make an outcry ; and
• An outcry of abuse from a special needs child , if it occurs , is most easily dismissed .
Every church staff member and volunteer should receive training aimed at prevention of child sexual abuse ( Sexual Abuse Awareness Training ). This is particularly necessary for those working within a Special Needs Ministry , whether the service provision takes the form of a Sunday School setting , monthly respite care , or seasonal weekend retreats .
NO ONE-SIZE-FITS-ALL ‘ SPECIAL NEED ’ Though the ministry offering may be referred to as the ‘ Special Needs Ministry ’, there is no ‘ one-size-fits-all ’ program , due to the wide variety of disabilities . For example , a special needs child ( or adult ) may experience an Autism Spectrum Disorder ( ASD ), Down Syndrome , an orthopedic impairment , speech / hearing / visual / learning challenges , an emotional disturbance , traumatic brain injury or other form of disability . Given the existence of the disability , it is often difficult for the special needs child to be absorbed into typical Children ’ s Ministry programs . Instead , it ’ s often necessary to make one or more accommodations : one-to-one supervision , nursing care , a support animal , or physical accommodations ( i . e ., grab bars , wheelchair ramps , etc .). Some special needs children need very little assistance , while others require constant one-to-one assistance , given needs related to behavior , sensory stimulation , seizures , toileting , medication or communication .
Many churches with Special Needs Ministries grow organically , making significant program decisions several times a year as a new child comes into the program with a new or unique disability . As a result , ministry leaders are oftentimes required to pivot frequently to accommodate the new child and additional staffing needs . These frequent pivots indicate an organic , rather than intentional style of decision-making .
ORGANIC vs . INTENTIONAL GROWTH When a church is planted or established , the core ministries take shape , such as preaching , music / worship , children ’ s and youth ministry . Other ministries tend to follow , such as missions or counseling .
Organic growth A Special Needs Ministry is typically established because a family in the congregation has a special needs child . The church comes alongside that family and enlists volunteers to support a ministry offering serving the child and family , allowing the parents to enjoy an adult worship experience and a brief period of respite . Inevitably , word gets out to other families with a special needs child that the church has demonstrated a willingness to serve children with disabilities . Now the church is asked to expand its program to accommodate an entirely new form of disability . Because the church rarely ‘ turns people away ’, an expectation forms that it is the church ’ s responsibility to support all who have this type of need . The church becomes pressed to find room within its physical plant and secure sufficient volunteers to meet the growing need to provide adequate care
82 CHURCH EXECUTIVE • STOP CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE churchexecutive . com