Is Your Church Protected?
This past Monday we gathered with our leaders to talk about ministry and to cover some of the things that we are facing in our world. We had a great conversation and shared some really exciting things that are going on with our leaders and students. However, we invited one of our children Ministries staff to come down and share some information on child predators and pedophiles. This was not as much fun. Here are some of the stats and things that she shared with us.
• Only 3% of pedophiles are ever caught
• 1 in 4 girls will be molested by age 16
• 1 in 6 guys will be molested by age 16
• Research suggest that at least 300,000 children are molested every year
• 90% of abusers are male
• 90% would say they are religious
• 75% are Caucasian
• 70% are married
• 65% are middle income or above
• 85% started offending as teenagers
Even more disturbing:
• They target children they have built a relationship with both the family and child
• 90% are family members or acquaintances
• They groom the child and the family by earning the trust of both
Overall, it was a much-needed conversation that led into us discussing the ways that we can protect both our students and ourselves. Have any of you dealt with this subject in your churches?
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