The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) says it's under investigation by the Justice Department after claims that top officials suppressed accounts of sexual abuse within the denomination.
These claims became public when SBC leaders published a report conducted by an outside consulting group. The group discovered that top officials in the SBC worked to cover up sexual abuse allegations within the denomination for over two decades.
The group's investigation also included an internal list of more than 700 alleged sexual abusers. Afterward, the SBC published a 200-page list of ministers and other church workers who they say are "credibly accused of sexual abuse."
Some say SBC leaders initially weren't helpful
For over 20 years, survivors and other parishioners contacted SBC leaders to express their concerns. They made phone calls, sent letters and even held rallies to bring attention to the issue of sexual abuse in their local churches.
Throughout that period, SBC executives met their concerns with little support. Many survivors said leaders were dismissive, resistant and hostile towards their claims. SBC executives also told survivors that they couldn't do anything about their abusers. They said it was because it would violate the SBC's autonomy policy. The policy states that churches within the denomination govern themselves.
Yet, a recent article from the Texas Observer says that a few senior executives within the SBC and their attorneys tightly held onto documented sexual abuse claims. The article also said they seemed more concerned with avoiding legal liability than investigating those claims.
The SBC says it's working to make changes
Current SBC leaders said they will cooperate with the Justice Department in the investigation. They also said they welcome recommendations from the consultant's report that could reduce sexual abuse within the denomination. Some of those recommendations include providing:
- An information system that alerts the SBC community of known offenders.
- Protocols, training, education and information for handling sexual abuse claims.
- A permanent administrative commission to oversee comprehensive reforms concerning sexual abuse and similar misconduct within the SBC.
And at a recent annual convention, SBC delegates voted to implement a system to help them document credible sexual abuse allegations.
The recent investigation is only the beginning
Sexual abuse survivors in the SBC are finally starting to have their voices heard. And now, more are beginning to speak out and tell their story, hoping they can hold their abuser accountable.
But for many survivors, the fight for justice has only begun. And while current SBC leaders seem to be taking steps in the right direction, it may be too early to tell if they will practice what they preach.