APSAC Advisor

Opening to the Special Issue from Victor I. Vieth, JD, MA & Theodore P. Cross, PhD, FAPSAC

Abstract: As more and more scrutiny is placed on youth-serving organizations, it is important to understand the organizational factors that contribute to child sexual abuse within such organizations. Providing access to children to those who would do them harm makes youth-serving organizations at a higher risk of child sexual abuse occurring within their ranks. Greater access to children, however, is not the only factor that makes youthserving organizations at a higher risk of child sexual abuse. There are various internal cultural factors that also contribute to this higher risk. The purpose of this article is to guide researchers and practitioners in exploring how certain cultures and viewpoints within churches and other Christian institutions can influence child sexual abuse within their ranks. For purposes of this article, only Christian churches and organizations are in view.

Keywords: child sexual abuse, institutional sexual abuse, youth-serving organizations, religious organizations

Abstract Social Science research has concluded that children should never be hit or spanked. However, in the United States, especially among conservative Christians, spanking remains normative. The present article summarizes intervention research conducted by the authors that attempts to challenge and change pro-spanking attitudes among conservative Christians. This research suggests that when Christians are presented with the empirical evidence on the potential harm of physical punishment, alongside progressive interpretations of the Biblical passages that are often interpreted by Christians as a mandate to spank, Conservative Christians are amenable to attitudinal change. Theological and secular resources on the physical punishment of children are offered.

Keywords: corporal punishment, spanking, prevention, physical abuse

Abstract: Religion, spirituality, and child abuse are often intertwined. This is particularly the case when the abuse itself involves religion, such as a physically abusive parent justifying their abuse by referring to Scripture. Separately, religion and spirituality may serve as resources for healing and coping following trauma. As demonstrated in this article, survivors of childhood abuse often experience complicated changes in religious and spiritual faith following abuse. In this article, I present a rationale for child abuse professionals who are mental health providers to provide spiritually informed care following childhood trauma. Then, I discuss spiritually oriented care in treatment for childhood trauma as a form of culturally sensitive psychotherapy for children and their families from various religious cultural backgrounds. Afterward, I provide a model for assessing the potential relevance of religion and spirituality to treatment for survivors of childhood abuse. I conclude by offering examples of spiritually informed, culturally sensitive care in the context of treatment following child abuse.

Keywords: child abuse, religion, spirituality, spiritually informed care

Abstract: This paper outlines our work facilitating restorative justice processes with survivors and institutional leaders in faith groups or communities where sexual harms occurred. It explains why and how we turned a faith lens on restorative justice (RJ) cases in the Jewish world and in some Christian communities, and how we have engaged RJ with survivors of childhood sexual abuse in historical cases. We outline where and how we apply a faith lens in each phase of our five-phase model. We also outline some benefits and challenges facilitators must consider when using a faith lens to work with survivors harmed in faith communities.

Keywords: restorative justice, institutional betrayal, sexual abuse, secondary victimization, faith, restorative practices, accountability

Abstract: A growing number of scholars contend that theological engagement with the topic of child abuse is critical to reduce the maltreatment of children in their homes and houses of worship. Theological engagement is also necessary in addressing the spiritual impact of child abuse and can help mitigate the physical and emotional impact of trauma. This article defines theological engagement, details research showing the misuse of sacred texts in the abuse of children and offers a concrete illustration of replacing toxic theology with trauma-informed theology.

Keywords: theological engagement, theological distortions, spiritual impact of abuse, seminary reform

Tribute to Pete Singer by Victor I. Vieth, JD, MA