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Addressing Sexual Assault
in Churches
“Breaking the Silence”
Sayama M. TurnerSexual Assault & Rape Victim AdvocateCommunity Advocate
Addressing Sexual Assault in Churches “Breaking the Silence”
Description:
Sexual Assault deeply impacts individuals both directly and indirectly on a mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual level. This workshop aims to discuss strategies for churches in our community, strategies on how to start a dialogue, how to eliminate barriers, and how to bring forth awareness on the topic of Sexual Assault. It also aims on how to make a change within the community by being a catalyst for change by sharing how victims of Sexual Assault can being their journey of healing and gaining hope beyond trauma
Objectives:
- How to eliminate barriers and bring forth awareness in churches
- How to build a rapport and be a catalyst for change in the communities
- Discuss strategies for the churches in our communities
Ice Breaker
What is your skill-set, occupation/profession,
line of work, and/or career field of work?
Addressing Sexual Assault in Churches…Why??
It’s often not thought of that people who attend church or come to church have been violated/victims of Sexual Assault – it’s considered as “taboo”
Churches are considered as a place to find hope and healing
People in churches are dealing with the same emotional, mental, physical, and sexual trauma as others in the community. It’s an issue that is Biblically stated and addressed
- Joseph and Potiphar's wife
- Tamar, King David’s daughter
Lack of resources, knowledge, understanding, and support to specifically meet their needs (they are underserved population in the community)
The Present Problem That We Have in our Society Concerning Sexual Assault
Nation-wide epidemic that effects all races, ethnicities, genders, and ages
- Physically
- Emotionally
- Mentally
- Spiritually
Lack of education, awareness, and training in the communities, especially the church
An issue that is still being ignored, not believed, and/or rejected on multiple levels
2014 Texas Sexual Assault Statistics
In 2014, 18,756 incidents were reported
- +5.1 percent increase compared to 2013
- In 2013, 17,844 incidents reported
These statistics are people who could possibly come to the churches to seek hope and to get on the pathway for their healing
The statistics include people within our communities
* Sexual assault is one of the most under reported crimes, with 68% still being left unreported.
A Healthy Dialogue for the Church
“Breaking the Silence”
https://youtu.be/pc9i_EuIVgo
Reaching Out to People in Churches on the Topic of Sexual Assault
It is essential that we understand how the majority of people think and operate. The following are just a few ways to reach out to them through/by:
- Understand where they are spiritually
- Being transparent with them
- Be subtle, sensitive, and sincere (this is crucial)
- Be clear about the message
- Understand their individuality (their unique qualities) and backgrounds (culturally based and prior doctrines/belief systems)
Build trust and maintain credibility
Reaching Out to People in Churches on the Topic of Sexual Assault (cont.)
Be approachable and responsive
Stay connected with them
Be willing to go to them
Educate the people within our churches about state laws
- Age of Consent
- Criminal Statue of Limitations
- Mandatory Reporting
- Termination of Parental Rights
- Criminal Definition of Sexual Assault and Rape
In reaching out, barriers will need to be broken/eliminated
Ways to Eliminate Barriers
Bringing forth awareness and educating people
Placing helpline/hotline information on in restrooms
Addressing it in classes and messages (age appropriate)
Addressing it on websites (i.e. resources, recovery ministries, and counseling ministries)
Placing information on brochures and handouts as resources (definition, legal aspects, and rights)
Educating the youth (with parental approval) on Sexual Assault
Educating leaders on how to recognize and properly handle a matter that deals with Sexual Assault
Creating an environment that is non-judgmental and comfortable to seek guidance and assistance
Ways to Eliminate Barriers (cont.)
Being honest about Sexual Assault occurring in our society, in homes, and even in some churches (TALK ABOUT IT)
Being open about policies and zero tolerance
Not making it as a topic of Sex Education – it’s a violent crime and not about sexual intimacy
Finding out where people are on their spiritual walk
Being approachable and non-judgmental
Keeping informational confidential and only sharing it with people who are required to know
Ensuring that the person who was assaulted understands that they are not sinful (THE VICTIM IS NEVER AT FAULT)
“LASER” Model for Churches
L – Listen carefully and respectfully and non-judgmental
A - Affirm what the person is saying and feeling without imposing personal feelings or beliefs
S – Support the person for coming forward
E – Empathy (empathize) and pay attention to cues about how they feel
R – Refer the person to the appropriate people/agency
Minimize re-victimization!
ActivityIn small groups, collaborate on how to come up with a solution to the following questions with the skills, experience, knowledge, professions, and/or degrees that the people have within your group:
1. Based on what you see, what challenges are in your communities preventing the lines of communication within the local churches in reference to Sexual Assault?
2. How would you start a “healthy” dialogue to leaders and auxiliary department leaders/directors, men’s and women’s ministries, youth teachers and volunteers, counseling ministries and departments, and the youth (i.e. adolescent)?
3. Who within the church would you include and utilize to address and break the silence on Sexual Assault?
Being a Catalyst for Change
Understanding that the church is important to social change
Assist victims of Sexual Assault in their journey of gaining hope and obtaining healing beyond their trauma
- Having Support Groups within the church
- Holding prayer services and sessions
- Hosting conferences that address Sexual Assault
- Conducting seminars/meetings that address the issue
- Letting others know that they are not alone (testimonies)
- Leading counseling sessions in the churches
Talking about the word “FORGIVENESS”
Wesley Hogue…
https://youtu.be/0SdR6-sK5Us
The Church should be a support system and an aid to assist people in the journey toward healing and
restoration. People from various nations come to the churches because it is “to be” a place of comfort,
healing, and restoration.
Addressing Sexual Assault in Churches“Breaking the Silence”
Creates an environment for people to discuss Sexual Assault in the church setting
Builds a rapport and trust with others
- Allows the discussions/dialogues to be honest and healthy
- Helps strategies for our churches and communities to build and revamp programs and policies
When we build those healthy lines of communications with people in our church, it is important that we do the following
- Maintain it (ensure that it says established)
- Build on it (be flexible to meet their needs)
- Protect it (ensure that it is guarded)
Questions
Sayama M. Turner
C.E.O. and Founder of Fight Against Sexual Assault, Inc.
P.O. Box 690367
San Antonio, Texas 78269
Voice: 210-960-3272 (FASA)
Email address: [email protected]
Website: www.fightagainstsexualassault.com (coming soon)
