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Info just for ... Clergy
"Out
of Desolation. . . The Daughters of Tamar"
Practical Recommendations for the Church's
Response to Sexual Assault
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Help
the survivor
Immediately after the assault:
- Make sure she is in a safe place. Tell her to try to get to
a safe place.
- Call 911.
- Encourage
her to go to the hospital.
- Tell her
that it is critical that she not shower, douche, change clothes,
eat, drink, or smoke until she can get to the hospital.
When you meet with her/him:
- Ensure
sufficient time and a safe and private place for the survivor
to talk with you.
- Do not
press for details about the assault. Allow the survivor to offer
any information about the assault. Do not react to her story
with shock.
- Assure
her that she is not to blame for the assault.
- Help her
to reflect theologically about what has happened to her.
- Allow her to talk about how she feels about God as a result
of the attack.
- Allow her to be angry at God and/or feel betrayed by God.
- Help her to understand a truer image of God - i.e., God
did not cause the assault, God was not punishing you, God
is with you, God has given you strength to survive the attack
and recover from the assault.
- Reassure
her that it is possible to regain control over her life. Encourage
her to make decisions for herself.
- Provide
necessary referrals to a rape crisis center, counseling, etc.
- Continue
to support her throughout her recovery, and, if it occurs, throughout
the prosecution of her case.
Help
the assailant
- If you know the person and feel safe doing so, confront him
and tell him that you know what he has done. If you do not know
the person, do not confront him on your own, to ensure your own
personal safety.
- Name the sin - tell him that his act of violence is a sin.
- Report him to the police.
- Encourage criminal prosecution of the case.
- Support and pray for him during the trial and, if it occurs,
during his incarceration.
- Offer him hope of repentance and transformation through incarceration,
treatment and confession.
- Seek repentance from him. This requires the assailant to take
responsibility for his violence, confess it, actively seek to
change, and refrain from committing any other acts of violence.
Help the rapist to understand that his sin is the consequence
of his own brokenness (i.e. his need for power and violence) and
is not in any way caused by the survivor.
- Continue to keep him accountable.
- Support reform in criminal laws that support the rights of survivors
and ensure just prosecution of sexual assault cases.
Help
the congregation
- Understand that the congregation will be affected by the assault
and will need to have a way to express their grief/rage and to
support the survivor.
- Acknowledge the assault. Schedule a special congregational meeting
to provide facts about the incident, education about the issue,
and an opportunity to respond to the assault.
- Hold a healing service to allow the congregation to pray with
the survivor and lift up their own grief, while experiencing God's
healing grace. However, make sure that the survivor is comfortable
participating in such a service. If she is not, allow a special
prayer time for members of the congregation to worship and experience
healing.
- Address the needs of the families of both the victim and the
assailant.
- Hold a bible study or other gathering during which you can teach
the congregation how they can care for the survivor and hold the
assailant accountable. Take the time to address particular myths,
i.e., if they are blaming the victim, help them to place the blame
on the assailant. Encourage discussion about ways in which they
can prevent further violence. They will need to feel empowered
to stop such violence.
Help
the community
- Let survivors know that your church is a safe place for them.
- Let the community know that your church is willing to address
the reality of violence in the community. Invite them to attend
any studies or discussions on the subject.
- Seek to collaborate with the local rape crisis center, battered
women's shelter, or other victim-service agencies in your area.
Many of these agencies will not refer survivors to churches because
of the inadequate responses to these issues from the church in
the past. Meet with them and find out how the church can better
respond to violence and help survivors. Consult with them on cases.
This allows survivors to have both their practical and spiritual
needs met.
Help
the minister
- Advocate for seminary classes that address sexual violence.
Many ministers are ill-equipped to deal with sexual violence issues.
- Help ministers to understand the practical implications for
the survivor's safety, the dynamics of assault/abuse, and, because
of the high recidivism rate (67% for convicted rapists), the need
to report the assailant to the police.
- Encourage them to seek support for themselves while working
to address an assault.
For
more information, please contact your local rape crisis center,
or:
Georgia Network to End Sexual Assault (GNESA)
131 Ponce de Leon Avenue, Suite 122
Atlanta, GA 30308
Office: 678/701-2700
Fax: 678/701-2709
Email: gnesa@mindspring.com
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