Harassment should be taken seriously as it “strikes at a person’s dignity and self-esteem precisely because it is sexual,” and may serve as a precursor to more serious violent acts, such as sexual assault, rape, and murder. When sexual harassment is present in church culture, the spiritual impact can be great. Below are some guiding principles that churches and church leaders can implement to help combat a culture of sexual harassment in their environment.

Children are abused at alarming rates. In the United States, roughly 2/3 of children go through at least one “adverse childhood experience.” The heavy physical, emotional, and relational toll of abuse are widely accepted, but the spiritual impact of abuse has often been overlooked. Churches, ministries, and all Christians must better understand and respond to the spiritual impact of child maltreatment.

This interview on Uncertain is about abuse in the church and it features GRACE’s Director of Safeguarding, Mike Sloan. Uncertain is a podcast of TearsofEden.org, founded by Katherine Spearing, which is a community and resource for those in the aftermath of spiritual abuse.

For 30 years I kept a secret that almost killed me. That same secret was kept by many other little boys. We were all victimized by the same man, yet none of us knew it was happening to the other. Those secrets caused pain, shame, guilt. And it cost one of us his life.

Watch the recorded discussion about child safeguarding and survivor care during COVID-19 led by Boz Tchividijian, with special guest Rachael Denhollander, and including GRACE board members Laura Thien, Justin Holcomb, and Victor Vieth.

Diane Langberg, psychologist and speaker, gives an address at the 2019 Caring Well Conference on suffering and the heart of God and how trauma destroys and Christ restores.

There has been much discussion about what a church should do when confronted with an abuser in its midst. Such a question cannot begin to be adequately or wisely answered unless we first grasp the truth of what it means to be an abuser of the vulnerable.

Former students who attended US missions schools overseas tell CBN News about the child abuse they endured at the hands of missionaries.

While it is unfortunate there are not flashing lights or hazard signs in our church, there are warnings that communities can heed when navigating issues around known offenders.  

GRACE Board Member, Laura Thien, and Reverend Carrie Walker Nettles explain how the words we use can unintentionally be sources of great injury for the survivors of abuse within our faith communities.

It's fair to say that if society as a whole is pretty clueless about rape and sexual assault, men and boys are trebly so. Hardly any deal with how to avoid becoming a victim of it—and none at all on what to do, or how to feel, if one actually does.

A deeper look into the ins and outs of reporting abuse. A recorded conversation with GRACE's own Mike Sloan, Amy Stier, and special guest, Eli Molina. We answer questions such as: What is a mandated reporter? What does reasonable suspicion mean? Where do you report abuse? Does a church need to investigate?

Justin Holcomb, professor at Reformed Theological Seminary, gives an address at the 2019 Caring Well Conference on the work of Christ and the effects of abuse

On October, 4th, 2019 GRACE Founder and Executive Director, Boz Tchividjian, addressed the Caring Well Conference hosted by the ERLC (a ministry of the Southern Baptist Convention).

“A Lifeline to Hope”. Hear from survivors, organizations, staff, and board members about what makes GRACE special. 

A resource for the Church on sexual abuse, the Valued Conference featured GRACE board members and fellow advocates in March, 2019.

A GRACE Board Member shares a few suggestions for consideration for those who struggle with holiday-related traumas.

Survivor Wendy Westerfield explains her personal interaction with the GRACE Investigation Team, and what she learned about “holding space” for difficult experiences.