If you’re a person of faith and you’ve decided to join a new church, even to play a more active role in that church, then it’s important to make sure that it’s safe for you and any family members you might want to bring with you. In light of historic, institutional abuse that’s been revealed across all manner of faith organizations, making sure that you can trust in moral leadership, the protection of vulnerable people within that church, and the responsible use of power within the community is important. Here, we’ll look at what you can do to answer any doubts you might have.
Look For Clear Safeguarding Policies
No religious organization should act with the attitude that abuse and misuse of power are impossible within its institution. As such, you should check to make sure that they have written safeguard policies, especially around how children, the elderly, disabled people, and other vulnerable adults or protected. This can include background checks for staff members, training for both staff and volunteers, as well as clear reporting procedures. If leaders aren’t able to provide these policies, or are offended by questions around them, it’s not necessarily a sign of guilt, but certainly a sign they’re not taking safety seriously enough.
Research Past Abuse Cases and Institutional Responses
Before you join a church, it’s entirely reasonable to look up whether the church, demoniantion, or leaders and clergy within it have been connected to past abuse cases. Individual cases of abuse can happen without the entire community and organization being directly responsible, but it’s important to look up what information is available, like reports naming Father James V. Flosi, as an example, to see how the case was handled not just by the justice system, but by the religious organization that the culprit was a member of. It’s important to see whether and how the abuse was reported, whether offenders were removed from positions of authority, survivors were supported, or, as is sometimes the case, if allegations were minimized or survivors blamed.
Keep An Eye Out For Controlling Behaviors
Plenty of churches offer community, friendship, spiritual guidance, and a healthy, supportive space to worship. However, beyond outright abuse, you should determine how much control and social pressure you are willing to tolerate from religious groups and authorities in your life, and to recognize the red flags of cult-like behavior when they appear. This can include discouraging you from maintaining relationships outside the church, using fear or shame to control behavior, pressuring members to donate beyond their means, isolating them from friends and family, or even discouraging them from free and critical thinking. Healthy churches encourage personal growth and allow disrespectful questioning, as they are key to developing a full relationship with our faith.
If you’re serious about your faith and equally serious about the potential risk of institutional abuse, then it’s important to do your research, ask questions, and observe behavior to ensure that a church and religious community are safe for you and your family.