The Problem

Without exception, sexual assault is a heinous crime that defies justice, denies mercy, brutalizes the weak, and mocks the central truths of Christian love and charity. Results from a recent needs-assessment survey with Memphis-area clergy members show that sexual assault is a serious and complicated problem facing our community. A number of obstacles stand in the way of proactive response, such as:

• Lack of environment safety and trust where victims are encouraged to share their experiences
• Insufficient understanding of the issue, which prevents adequate response to allegations, reports, or questions about sexual assault or abuse
• Limited-time availability for in-depth training on the subject
• Lack of knowledge regarding the correct protocol and procedures for working with local social service agencies, the scope of services provided, and the opportunities for follow-up after referral