More than 70 Arkansas Baptists recently gathered in central Arkansas on May 1 for an Abuse Prevention + Response Conference hosted by the Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC).
The conference is part of an ongoing effort by the ABSC to aid churches in continuing to protect minors and those vulnerable from sexual abuse.
Attendees heard from Emily Smith, Abuse Prevention + Response Consultant for the ABSC; Robert Sterling, regional sales manager for James Greene & Associates Insurance Agency; Christa Neal, Title IX Coordinator at Ouachita Baptist University; and Sean Culpepper, regional supervisor for Living Well Professional Counseling.
The speakers walked attendees through The Essentials curriculum, which was launched last year by the Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force (ARITF) of the Southern Baptist Convention with hope that churches will use it to train volunteers in preventing sexual abuse and responding to those who have experienced it. The five elements of the curriculum are train, screen, protect, report and care.
Smith covered the importance of being proactive instead of reactive when it comes to abuse prevention and encouraged ministry leaders to provide abuse awareness training for all staff, leaders, and volunteers working with minors in their ministries. She also highlighted a quote from the Essentials material produced by ARITF that stated, “the screening process is the first and best line of defense to prevent abuse in our churches.”
“We cannot be 100% risk free in our churches, but there are practices and essentials churches can implement to help minimize their risk when it comes to abuse,” Smith said. “If we can prevent abuse from happening to one child, it’s a win in my book.”
Sterling highlighted the importance of protecting ministries through policies and procedures. Sterling walked attendees through how to manage risk and shared helpful resources to assist in this process like MinistrySafe’s Safety System assessment and Brotherhood Mutual’s legal assist resource. Through the free legal assist resource, churches can upload their policies and procedures for Brotherhood Mutual to review.
Neal walked attendees through how to identify child maltreatment and the necessary steps to take in reporting abuse. Neal commented on how you must plan your aftercare before the crisis happens.
Culpepper finished the training by discussing 11 gentle, affirming ways one can support a survivor to navigate one of the most vulnerable and painful moments in their life. He concluded by reminding attendees that “just by being there, by believing them, and by treating them with kindness, you are offering something truly healing. Your compassion matters.”
Resources are available at ABSC.org/APR.