Bulletin Insert #2

(Introducing the topic area of child sexual abuse)

Stopping the Thief of Childhood

A recent news story reported an attempted robbery in an inner city bank. The bandit easily obtained money from the
cashier, but as he tried to escape, he was apprehended by an angry group of bank patrons who refused to allow him to
get away with their savings. One police officer afterwards remarked that people could stop crimes if they would work
together.
We in the church need to work together to stop another thief at large in our nation. This thief is shamelessly stealing the
future potential of our children. The thief is child sexual abuse.
Child sexual abuse robs children of their innocence and dignity. It steals from them their chances of healthy emotional
and sexual development. It robs them of trust in those they respect, and if this abuse occurs in church, it could rob them
of their faith in God. The Church must not only recognize this thief, but band together with others who care to stop child
sexual abuse.
Child sexual abuse or molestation occurs whenever an adult has sexual activity with a minor or youth. Sexual abuse
creates emotional pain and confusion in its victims. It is always wrong and the young person is always the victim. In
every state it is illegal and criminal.
Child sexual abuse is reportedly at epidemic levels. This year alone over 1,000,000 children and youth will be sexually
abused. One in four families is affected by child sexual abuse. In over 80 percent of these tragic situations the children
will be abused by someone they know and trust.
Although the majority of this abuse occurs within the home, over 30 percent of cases involve adults in day care,
sporting, educational, and religious programs. Victims can be found among every social, racial, economic, and religious
group in our nation.
In the weeks to come, we will join the fight against child sexual abuse in a more formal way. We are at an opportune and
strategic place to help stop the "thief." Through a committed effort, God's people can provide a powerful voice of
leadership to our society. We can begin now to turn the tide against this social ill by taking the following steps:
1. Educate ourselves as a community of faith about the problem of child sexual abuse.
2. Implement effective prevention programs within the church to create a safe place for all who attend.
3. Provide compassionate support and ministry to the large number of adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse. It is
estimated that 1 in 4 adult women and 1 in 6 adult men have been abused before the age of 18.
4. Politically support actions that outlaw child pornography, prostitution and other types of child sexual exploitation.
In the weeks to come, you will being hearing more about the problem of child sexual abuse and how we in this church
can begin to take specific steps to prevent this type of activity from harming children in our church and community.