Safe Church—If You Need Help
Silence is not the answer.
If you find yourself in the terrible situation of being a victim of abuse, you must get help. While we realize it is not easy to come forward and share your story, in order to heal and move forward you must seek assistance. The following resources come highly recommended, and it is our sincere hope that with prayer and proper support you will soon be on the road to recovery. Special thanks to Sarah McDugal and Jennifer Jill Schwirzer for supplying these resources.
WILD (Women in Leadership Development)
This organization provides confidential and free online support groups for women in recovery, training courses, and online group coaching. WILD also provides coaching services for abuse recovery, post-trauma wellness, and entrepreneurship development.
EndItNowNorth America
This is an initiative of the North American Division and the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) to educate church leaders and raise awareness on multiple forms of abuse. The annual summit is streamed live in English, French, and Spanish. Next summit is November 13, 2022. To view video seminars from past summits, click here.
Rise Up Against Abuse
This is an initiative to combat and provide education on all forms of abuse. It was launched in March on the campus of Andrews University.
Sarah McDugal
Sarah is an author, speaker, and abuse recovery coach working exclusively with female survivors. She offers both group and individual online coaching and is available internationally.
Godly Response to Abuse in a Christian Environment (GRACE)
GRACE provides education, information, and support for victims.
Psalm 82 Initiative
This organization seeks to help churches and leaders recognize and respond to abuse in the church more effectively. It provides coaching, education, and support.
The Hope of Survivors
It serves victims of clergy sexual misconduct across denominations, through providing educational materials, events, and its online presence.
"Safe Church Features" article was originally published in Adventist World, September 2019. Online article posted 09-01-2019.
Published in Mosaic newsletter, 2020 Q3
Photo: unsplash.com
