Report Details Mishandling of Sexual Abuse Allegations by Top Southern Baptists
Sexual abuse allegations were mishandled by leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), according to a report. A report released Sunday by a third-party firm found, “Survivors and others who reported abuse were…
Sexual abuse allegations were mishandled by leaders of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), according to a report.
A report released Sunday by a third-party firm found, “Survivors and others who reported abuse were ignored, disbelieved, or met with the constant refrain that the SBC could take no action due to its polity regarding church autonomy – even if it meant that convicted molesters continued in ministry with no notice or warning to their current church or congregation.”
According to the report, survivors of the abuse and other concerned Southern Baptists contacted the SBC’s Executive Committee, “Only to be met, time and time again, with resistance, stonewalling, and even outright hostility from some within the EC.”
The firm said the investigation “revealed that, for many years, a few senior EC leaders, along with outside counsel, largely controlled the EC’s response to these reports of abuse.”
The report explained, “They closely guarded information about abuse allegations and lawsuits, which were not shared with EC Trustees, and were singularly focused on avoiding liability for the SBC to the exclusion of other considerations.”
The firm interviewed roughly 300 individuals, per the report.
Recommendations include forming an independent commission and later establishing “a permanent Administrative Entity to oversee comprehensive longterm reforms concerning sexual abuse and related misconduct within the SBC.”
Additionally, the report recommends creating and maintaining “an Offender Information System to alert the community to known offenders. Make the OIS available to churches on a voluntary basis,” and more.