My heart desires thy peace (5): Understanding and supporting victims of sexual abuse
Prof. Brian Huizinga addresses the serious sin of sexual abuse within the church, arguing that breaking the silence surrounding this issue is essential for protecting victims and calling perpetrators to repentance. Drawing on Scripture's commands to love our neighbor and defend the oppressed, he advocates for increased awareness, pastoral support for victims, and church-wide prayer and action in response to abuse. This article reflects the Protestant Reformed Church's growing commitment to addressing sexual abuse as both a theological and pastoral concern.
Sexual abuse was seldom talked about in the past. For many believers it was a terrible sin included in a list of other gross sins abhorred by God, but, generally speaking, it was not studied, understood, explained, or discussed. It was mostly a dark abstraction. A level of ignorance prevailed. Such quietness is not good because it can give perpetrators their edge, exacerbate the suffering of hurting victims, and create an environment in which it is less likely that parents will have healthy...
Full article available on sb.rfpa.org