Until those of us in leadership get honest about our failures to protect the sheep,
​expose the wolves and be the warriors of truth we profess to be, then we are part of the problem. 
Cowardice to confront sin is killing our credibility and influence. 
Stacey Shiflett, Pastor Calvary Baptist Church Dundalk, MD

Frank Sommerville, an attorney and CPA who specializes in church law and tax says, "Many churches are devastated when they learn of sexual misconduct within their church.  However, if the church recognizes that it may occur, and prepares for that possibility, they are the ones who rarely need to use the policies they have in place.  On the other hand, the churches that fail to prepare usually pay a very high price.  When sexual boundaries are crossed between church employees, the legal consequences can be significant.  Juries tend to award larger damages to victims of sexual harassment within churches because they think church should be a safe place.  Churches ignore this at their peril." Church Law&Tax, Sexual Misconduct at Church

Yes, churches should be safe.  And legal ramifications of clergy sexual abuse are a reality, but we know church leadership will want to have policies, procedures, safe practices, messages against abuse, etc., to create an environment that is unattractive to predatory abusers because they want a safe church and they care for the sheep, not just so they can avoid expensive lawsuits.  The spiritual ramifications of clergy sexual abuse for the victim, families, and the church body are devastating.  
Please take 35 minutes and watch Diane Langberg's message on Power, Deception, and the Church. 
​She will help you understand power, vulnerability, abuse and the importance of speaking up, confronting abusers and protecting the sheep. 
In this article, David Pooler, associate dean for academic affairs, Baylor University's Diana R. Garland's School of Social Work, says, "Clergy Sexual Abuse happens when a person with religious authority intentionally uses their role, position, and power to sexually harass, exploit, or engage in sexual activity with a person. This involves sexualizing conversations (including on the phone, through social media or email), asking for or transmitting unwanted sexual images, touching or hugging people who do not want to be touched, pushing for sexual involvement, creating pressure and hostility when boundaries are set, using sexual language and jokes, pressing or rubbing up against a person, or invading personal space. The sexual activity can include but is not limited to touching sexual organs (over or under clothing), kissing, oral sex, masturbation, intercourse, and rape. Clergy Sexual Abuse is primarily about the misuse of power by the perpetrator and the inability of the victim to provide consent because of that power differential. The person with more power is always the one responsible for both setting and maintaining appropriate boundaries with people."  
Do you know your church is a safe church?
Does your church have an harassment policy?​  Does your church communicate how to report harassment?
Does your church regularly train staff and volunteers about its harassment policies and procedures?
Does your church have a response & investigation team prepared ​to handle an harassment complaint?
Does your church understand abuse trauma and have a plan to care for victims?​
An Article regarding the possibility of restoring a pastor after abuse is proven.​
Does your church have polices, procedures and training for identifying and reporting child abuse?
Does your church understand domestic violence, how to report it, and how to care for victims?
Does your church understand there are survivors attending that need love and care?