Sexual Violence
Sex Offenders in Church in Georgia
Jul 25, 2008 — Categories: Sexual ViolenceThe state of Georgia is trying to protect its children from sex offenders. To that end it passed legislation in 2006 (updated in 2008) that is viewed as the toughest in the U.S. There is only one problem: the law criminalizes all volunteer activities by registered sex offenders in religious organizations.
Muslim Rape Victim Punished
Mar 17, 2008 — Categories: Sexual ViolenceInternational media recently carried the newstory about a Saudi Arabian woman who was gang raped and then sentenced to six months in prison and 200 lashes after she spoke out to protest the lenient sentences given her attackers.
No Harm, No Foul? Part 1
Jan 23, 2008 — Categories: Sexual Violence, Sexual Abuse by ClergyWhy is professional misconduct wrong? Because someone gets hurt. When any of us in a ministerial or teaching role betrays trust, exploits or abuses, we cause harm to another person.
Politics, Religion and Rape
Dec 19, 2007 — Categories: Current Events, Domestic Violence, Sexual ViolenceAs presidential politics play out, Republican candidate Mike Huckabee has been challenged to answer questions about his involvement in the release of convicted rapist Wayne DuMond after DuMond’s religious “conversion.”
A Celebration and an Update
Aug 20, 2007 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Sexual ViolenceThis month, there was a celebration in Malicounda Bambara, Senegal, of the 10th anniversary of the village’s public declaration to abandon female genital cutting (FGC).
Where Are These Men? Part 2
Jul 19, 2007 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual Violence, Domestic ViolenceThe Fathers’ Day Poll released by the Family Violence Prevention Fund that I discussed in last week’s blog suggests that the majority of men are aware and concerned about sexual and domestic violence.
Forgiveness = “It’s Okay; Go Ahead and Rob Me”
Jun 19, 2007 — Categories: Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence, Sexual Abuse by ClergyA group of teenagers, when apprehended for home burglaries, were asked why they selected these particular homes. They replied, “Because we knew that Christians lived there and that they would forgive us and not prosecute.” What is wrong with this picture?
“Don’t Forgive Us So Quickly!” Part 2
May 31, 2007 — Categories: Sexual ViolenceTwenty-seven incest offenders gave me this advice when I met with them during a session of their court-mandated treatment program. They were mostly Christians and they kept wanting to talk about their faith, so their therapist called me in.
No Sex Offenders in Church? Part I
May 18, 2007 — Categories: Sexual Violence“I’m a convicted sex offender and I would like to attend this church." At FaithTrust Institute, we are receiving weekly inquiries about this situation from anxious clergy and congregations. Some congregations are turning away offenders. This initial reaction may be understandable, but let’s be clear: The identified, self-acknowledged sex offender is the least of a congregation’s worries.
Another Party Heard from . . . Rev. Marie M. Fortune Has Things to Say
Feb 22, 2007 — Categories: Sexual Violence, Domestic ViolenceAfter 30 years, how about a blog? When I began my work in 1977, I didn't even have access to a copier. I wrote my first book on a typewriter. Remember those?
