Sexual abuse awareness and training course for ministry: Toward a program to eradicate ministry misconduct for healthier churches in the twenty-first century

In the wake of the alarming rise in sexual abuse (SA) cases involving clergy and members of leadership in churches across the United States, the author discovered that several religious denominations have no organized and/or standardized formal awareness educational training concerning sexual misconduct (SM). There is also no authoritative published guidance or set of procedures designed to educate and train members of the clergy and church leaders regarding reporting procedures for sexual abuse. This includes disciplinary actions, procedures on how to address offenders, or steps for healing and restoration for victims. There remains a strong need to change and address this terrible act of oppression within the church today. This research provides a study of how to properly structure a comprehensive curriculum on sexual abuse and misconduct awareness training among clergy members in order to provide effective education.;The author will execute a thorough study of current and past sexual abuse cases among the clergy. The author will also explore church requirements, operating policy, and various procedures that have been implemented by churches within the areas studied. The author will evaluate ethical standards governing sexual misconduct by clergy members and leaders within diverse congregations and denominational ecclesiastical structures. This will include denominational delegating authorities in a variety of Christian churches, including Church of God in Christ (COGIC), Baptist, Catholic and African Methodist Episcopal organizations. Finally, this research will also include studies of public cases and subjects within the Tidewater Peninsula Baptist Association. This will be examined to identify current reporting processes and SA awareness measures that are impacted by clergy sexual abuse.;The author is curious to determine the number of Christian churches that make intentional efforts to bring SA and SM awareness to the clergy in the 21st century church. This will include an awareness of policy on ministerial ethical awareness and reporting procedures in the event that SA occurs. The author's assumption is that clergy sexual abuse involving religious communities within this study is a direct result of the dehumanization of women and children that occurs in some churches today. The lack of SA awareness may directly result in devastating effects on the lives of victims, offenders, family members, and the local community.