On Thursday, November 7th, leaders and volunteers from churches around the CKNB gathered at Southern Heights Baptist Church in Lexington, KY, for a vital training session on sexual abuse prevention, response, and care, led by Kentucky Baptist Convention’s Harold Best. The workshop, titled "Church Prepared: Sexual Abuse Prevention, Response & Care," (a collaborative partnership effort of the Kentucky Baptist Convention and MinistrySafe) addressed the critical need for churches to actively protect and minister to those within their care, particularly the most vulnerable — our children.
The event emphasized that churches are called to be sanctuaries of safety, not only spiritually but physically. The necessity of this training was underscored by a stark statistic shared by Best: in the U.S., 1 in 4 females and 1 in 6 males are affected by some form of sexual abuse. Given these numbers, it’s a near certainty that there are survivors of abuse in every congregation. This workshop offered church leaders an essential framework to foster an environment of awareness, vigilance, and proactive care.
Best detailed the different profiles of offenders, distinguishing between “Abduction Offenders” who act outside church walls and “Preferential Offenders” who may pose a risk from within. He highlighted how churches are generally well-prepared to defend against external threats but must be equally vigilant to address those who might exploit their trusted positions within the congregation. Recognizing the signs of grooming behavior and understanding the patterns associated with abuse were emphasized as key areas for training volunteers and staff.
The workshop also included a detailed review of Kentucky's mandatory reporting statutes, stressing the legal and moral responsibility to report any suspected abuse. Attendees were reminded that every church has a duty to understand and follow these regulations as part of their commitment to the safety of their congregation.
In a broader sense, the Kentucky Baptist Convention (KBC) and the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) have developed comprehensive resources to aid churches in identifying, preventing, and responding to abuse cases. These resources are now readily available to churches across the state to ensure they are fully equipped to protect and care for the vulnerable individuals within their communities.
This workshop was an essential step in equipping churches with the knowledge and tools to respond effectively, reminding everyone that protecting children and others at risk is a mission deeply rooted in faith and responsibility.
The CKNB and KBC are passionate about the opportunity to assist churches in creating safe environments for all in their congregations. KBC has several trainers who stand at the ready to come to your church to lead a training with your volunteers or entire church should you determine the need. For more information on the Church Prepared resources and Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Care, visit https://www.kybaptist.org/churchprepared/ where you will find many helpful resources and staff contacts to set up future trainings.
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