The Church Cannot Manage Sexual Abuse by Itself

By Stephanie Krehbiel
The Mennonite
February 4, 2016

https://themennonite.org/opinion/the-church-cannot-manage-abuse-by-itself/

Mennonite Church USA, the Mennonite Education Agency, and the Sexual Abuse Prevention Panel have recently come forward with a statement “extending a broad invitation to any individuals interested in confidentially disclosing if they have been approached or abused by Luke Hartman, formerly of Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) in Harrisonburg, Virginia.” The statement invites these individuals to make contact with one of two appointed members of the denomination’s Sexual Abuse Prevention Panel. The statement also refers to an earlier press release by the Anabaptist Mennonite chapter of SNAP that issues a similar call. We emphasize, again, that we make no presumptions about Hartman’s innocence or guilt.

While the Anabaptist-Mennonite chapter of SNAP supports the proactive stance towards sexual abuse that led these entities to issue their invitation, we wish to clarify the following: We do not advise survivors of sexual abuse, harassment, or assault to report their experiences to pastors or other church officials. This observation is in no way meant to reflect on the competence or good intentions of the highly reputable individuals that Mennonite Church USA has selected to receive reports in this particular case. However, the Mennonite church is small and tightly interconnected. When survivors report their experiences to church leaders or insiders who may know the perpetrator, the report creates a conflict of interest for that person, which is not fair to them or to the survivor reporting to them.

Unfortunately, the long experience of SNAP and of survivors and their advocates in the Mennonite church has shown us that reporting sex crimes solely to church-appointed officials tends to produce more silence than justice. Neither survivors nor people who are accused of sexual violence have been well-served by this practice.

We want to work towards a future in which all survivors of sexual violence in Mennonite contexts, regardless of whether or not they are comfortable talking to church insiders, feel safe coming forward with their experiences. We ask that church leaders work towards this future as well, through both their actions and the wording of the statements that they issue.

If you are a survivor of sexual abuse, assault, or harassment by any individual in the Mennonite church, or if you suspect or have witnessed any such incident, we want you to understand that you have options. We encourage survivors to contact independent and experienced professionals in law enforcement, prosecuting attorneys, sexual assault crisis centers, and/or independent survivor groups such as SNAP. The Anabaptist Mennonite chapter of SNAP (mennonite@snapnetwork.org) is a confidential source of support for any survivors who want to discuss their options or just need someone to talk to. If you prefer, you can also contact the national SNAP toll-free phone number, 1-877-SNAP-HEALS (1-877-762-7432).

We ask church leaders to continue this proactive stance with an understanding that sexual abuse is not a problem that they can contain, manage, or address solely within their own institutions. In order to reach the broadest range of potential survivors of all Mennonite perpetrators, church leaders must demonstrate their commitment to work with law enforcement and civil authorities. While these secular institutions are far from achieving perfect justice, the church cannot help survivors or stop perpetrators without them.

The views expressed do not necessarily represent the official positions of Mennonite Church USA, The Mennonite or the board for The Mennonite, Inc.