A brief Seventh-day Adventist perspective.

It has not been easy for Christians to recognise that abuse exists in their churches and in the community. Since Christianity emphasises high moral standards, close fellowship and mutual trust, surely churches should be safe places without exception.

How are Seventh-day Adventists making their church a safe place?

Seventh-day Adventists take reports of abuse seriously. We believe that to remain indifferent and unresponsive is to condone, perpetuate and potentially extend such behaviour. We cooperate with other professional services to seek justice for sexual abuse victims while showing redemptive mercy to their perpetrators.

• Telling the truth about abuse
• Naming and condemning abuse
• Showing compassion for victims of abuse
• Preventing further abuse
• Confronting the perpetrator and imposing negative consequences
• Recognising the wrongfulness of abuse
• Setting the victims free from suffering caused by the abuse

Adventists will provide a ministry of reconciliation as changed attitudes and behaviour open possibilities for forgiveness and new beginnings. We will address the spiritual questions confronting abused persons, seeking to understand the reasons for abuse and developing better ways of preventing it.

The Seventh-day Adventist Church released statements on abuse and family violence in 1995 and child sexual abuse in 1997.