The numbers are staggering. According to the best information that we have today in America, in a study that has surveyed 17,000 people, 1 out of every 4 girls will experience sexual abuse before they are 18 years old, and 1 out of every 6 boys will experience sexual abuse before they are 18 years old. Put the numbers together, and that means that about 1 in 5 kids will experience sexual abuse before they are 18 years old. This is not only a problem “out there”—it includes many in the church community.
Those numbers do not include all those who have suffered spiritual abuse, workplace harassment, or domestic violence.
How can we be a community of safety and refuge and healing? This is an important equipping question for all of us in the church family.
One year ago, in February of 2020, we hosted A Seminar About Abuse, taught by Rebecca Meyer and Melinda Queen. We learned about types of abuse, walking with people who’ve been abused, and creating a church culture of protection from and prevention of abuse.
As a way to refresh our commitment to this issue, we are re-posting all of the recordings from A Seminar About Abuse on our website, along with the course handouts (which include session outlines and numerous recommended resources).
Rebecca Meyer has a master’s degree in counseling from Westminster Theological Seminary and has worked as a counselor for six years, currently with Cross Care Counseling. Melinda Queen graduated from Wheaton College and worked in the Johnson County Court System in Kansas for 35 years, where she served as a juvenile parole officer and a victim’s advocate.
You can find the recordings to the seminar here: Abuse Seminar Recordings
The seminar handouts are available here: A Seminar About Abuse