The Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention is committed to helping Hawaii Pacific Baptist Churches reduce the risk of sexual abuse within the church. We encourage our churches to use the newly released curriculum called “The Essentials: Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Training.” It is designed to assist local churches in walking through five sessions that unpack each essential, helping them establish or evaluate an abuse prevention and response plan. The curriculum provides easy “Next Steps” to implement each essential.

THE FIVE ESSENTIALS

Here are Five Essential Action Steps to begin to protect your church from predators who seek to prey on the vulnerable among you and to care well for victims and survivors of abuse:

1. TRAIN – Churches must provide initial and ongoing training for staff, leaders, and volunteers that raises awareness about sexual abuse and shares effective actions to help prevent and respond well to incidents of abuse in the church.
2. SCREEN – Screening should include a written application, references, a background check, an internet search and social media review, and an interview.
3. PROTECT – Churches must create and implement policies that protect children, youth, and vulnerable adults from grooming and abuse.
4. REPORT –  It is critical that every church has a written plan in place to communicate with both the appropriate government authorities and the church in the event of an abuse allegation and that staff and volunteers know how to report abuse both externally and internally.
5. CARE – Churches need to be aware of resources for trauma survivors and their families that can provide long-term care. The church’s response in supporting survivors of sexual abuse will either accurately reflect the character of Jesus Christ or misrepresent Him, thereby bringing harm to the survivor, congregation, and abuser.

Access the Free Curriculum Here