"Help! I'm the pastor of a rural, medium sized church.
A mother just phoned saying her daughter had been raped.
What do I do now?" (Actual Question)
 

Statistics are showing that 1:3 women will be victims of sexual assault in their lifetime.

Further, statistics are showing that 1:5 men will be sexually abused as children.

 

Sexual crimes happen in every community regardless of race, socioeconomic status,

religion, creed or national origin. It is an "equal opportunity" crime that knows no boundaries.

 

However, helping may be easier than you think:

 
      "Ok, I've seen the national stats and am familiar with the numbers.

What might this look like in a local church? "
 

A 150 member church having:

50 women

50 men

25 girls and 25 boys

might look like this:

25  Women and girls   either are or will become rape survivors.
       13 of these women will know their perpetrators who may be active in your congregation.
19  Women   will experience an act of domestic abuse in her lifetime.
15  Men and boys   either are or will be sexually abused in their lifetime.
 

     For a total of 59 members of your 150 member congregation who either already are or will become survivors of a sexual crime or violence in the home.

    Not all of these people are being abused right now. Some already have been and some will be. They all will need your help. Sexual crimes are very under reported. In many instances, you will never know who falls into the above categories. However, being open and knowledgeable to the effects of abuse will go a long way towards the healing of those victimized.

     "Will it be as high, in my particular congregation, as those numbers indicate?"

     I don't know. These numbers are based on national averages so your particular church may have less or more that those numbers would indicate.

     What I can tell you is I have never spoken to a church or women's group where people did not come forward with stories of victimization. Many of these survivors felt the shame for many years before feeling safe to come forward. These have ranged from young girls in their teens to women in their eighties to a construction worker building homes.

     In each instance, the survivor expressed relief that they could finally come forward and talk to someone who understands.

     "What other information is available?"

 

    We are glad to help you find what you need.
      Besides the website we also offer:  

• Training for your congregation
• Clergy email support
• Library loaner program
• Speakers who can visit your church
• Referrals to local resources
• Education both online and offline
• Newsletters
• And more!

To find out about our Church Training program Oasis Churches

download a free brochure here. Oasis Churches

(PDF file requires the free Adobe Reader.)

 

For more information contact:
hopeinfo@hopeforhealing.org  or leave a message in our Guestbook Now.

 

Statistics taken from:
1.Center for the Prevention of Sexual and Domestic Violence, http://www.cpsdv.org/SV/sexual.htm
2.Full Circle Women's Online Magazine,         http://www.womenscircle.com/abuse.html
3.National Organization on Male Sexual Victimization, http://www.nomsv.org/myths.htm