LITTLE ROCK – The Arkansas Baptist State Convention (ABSC) Church Health Team on Tuesday hosted an abuse awareness training presented by MinistrySafe.
Nearly 100 Arkansas Baptists gathered for the awareness training to become better equipped to protect minors and those vulnerable from abuse.
“It is so important for our churches to understand and to know that this is not something that just happens in that other state. It happens right here in our backyard, in our own state,” ABSC Children’s Specialist Emily Smith told those in attendance at the training.
The training was led by Gregory Love, MinistrySafe director and attorney. He identified common misconceptions related to child sexual abuse and replaced them with facts, equipping volunteers and staff members with the knowledge to better protect children in their care and recognize an abuser’s grooming process.
The topics addressed during Tuesday’s awareness training included:
- Important sexual abuse development
- Facts vs. misconceptions
- Abuser characteristics
- The offender’s grooming process
- Common ‘grooming behaviors’
- Peer-to-peer sexual abuse
- Indicators and impact of abuse
- Reporting requirements
“When it comes to reaching the next generation, one of the key things we want is to make sure we are providing a safe environment for kids to grow spiritually, physically and mentally,” Smith said.
The ABSC partners with MinistrySafe to offer churches tools to develop plans and processes to protect those at risk. To learn more, visit absc.org/ministrysafe.