Here’s a great example of why the Church continues to face a problem of clergy abuse…
First, poison the well by hinting (without evidence) that some of the alleged abuses “might not he true”…
Approximately one hundred people in California are alleging sexual abuse or misconduct linked to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in California courts. If these claims all turn out to be true, that would represent one hundred individual tragedies—one hundred instances of innocence lost and one hundred relationships with God potentially complicated by the grievous actions (or inactions) of leaders. It would reflect one hundred stories of emotional and psychological pain.
Even if some of the cases do not hold up in court or are found to be inaccurate, it is heartbreaking to think that someone might feel so angry or disaffected as to make a false or exaggerated claim against the Church. Whether a claim is true or false, it indicates deep pain for those individuals and potentially serious consequences for the faith community they are accusing.
Then, just make stuff up to make it sound like the Church is on top of things…
There are established mechanisms within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to handle and prevent abuse.
Their processes start with following best practices in training and policies that prevent abuse. The Church was a leader in abuse prevention, starting regular public sermons on the subject in the 1970s.
The Church’s sexual abuse prevention training is required for everyone who works with youth. Outside groups such as The National Children’s Alliance have recognized the Church’s efforts in this area.
The Church’s policies, including its geographical boundaries and its calling system, also have the effect of dissuading predators.
When abuse has occurred, the Church utilizes a helpline staffed by mental health and legal professionals. These are the kinds of professionals that the best research suggests are in the best position to report abuse and result in lower abuse rates. When it is legal, the Church then passes on reports to local authorities. Regardless of the legal situation, the Church then begins to help the victims.
For instance, the helpline for staffed by Kirton McConkie and is designed to hide abuse and protect the Church, rather than as a victim support line. The Church has been slow and ineffective at gaining compliance to this training and these protocols. The Europe Area Presidency has had to write 3 times to remind people to get it done, and deadlines for implementation have been missed. And that last line about the Church helping the victims? Well, don’t make me laugh.
If all else fails, deliberately misrepresent the information to make it sound better for the Church..
Statements from the Church indicate that their first priority is providing healing for victims. This often starts with professional mental health counseling. Bishops across the United States have access to networks of therapists that they can utilize, including trauma-informed therapy for abuse survivors.
Records leaked from church offices several years ago showed that the most frequent first step when victims were identified was to connect them with therapists.
The first step wasn’t to report the perpetrator to proper authorities. In fact, those leaks show that Church Leaders go to great lengths to protect the perpetrators which results in the abuse continuing for longer than it should.
This whole article is a delusional. The author has either not researched the topic properly, and/or he’s simply being dishonest.
