The Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention is committed to helping Hawaii Pacific Baptist Churches reduce the risk of sexual abuse within the church. We encourage our churches to use the newly released curriculum called “The Essentials: Sexual Abuse Prevention and Response Training.” It is designed to assist local churches in walking through five sessions that unpack each essential, helping them establish or evaluate an abuse prevention and response plan. The curriculum provides easy “Next Steps” to implement each essential.
THE FIVE ESSENTIALS
Here are Five Essential Action Steps to begin to protect your church from predators who seek to prey on the vulnerable among you and to care well for victims and survivors of abuse:
- TRAIN – Churches must provide initial and ongoing training for staff, leaders, and volunteers that raises awareness about sexual abuse and shares effective actions to help prevent and respond well to incidents of abuse in the church.
- SCREEN – Screening should include a written application, references, a background check, an internet search and social media review, and an interview.
- PROTECT – Churches must create and implement policies that protect children, youth, and vulnerable adults from grooming and abuse.
- REPORT – It is critical that every church has a written plan in place to communicate with both the appropriate government authorities and the church in the event of an abuse allegation and that staff and volunteers know how to report abuse both externally and internally.
- CARE – Churches need to be aware of resources for trauma survivors and their families that can provide long-term care. The church’s response in supporting survivors of sexual abuse will either accurately reflect the character of Jesus Christ or misrepresent Him, thereby bringing harm to the survivor, congregation, and abuser.
Online Training Resources
Ministry Safe Abuse Prevention Training Use the code HPBC2024 for $100 off your first year’s annual MinistrySafe Membership.
GuideOne Insurance Safe Churches Resources
International Mission Board (IMB) Process for Short-term Mission Trip Participants
Screening Companies (Background Checks)
Ministry Safe Background Checks
Registered Sex Offenders Resources
National Sex Offender Search website
Mandated Reporting Information
View this page from the Hawaii State Chapter of Children’s Justice Centers
Guide for Mandated Reporters from the Department of Human Services (PDF)
Reporting Phone Numbers in Hawaii
Public Assistance Information Line – 1-855-643-1643
Child Abuse Reporting – 1-808-832-5300
Child Abuse Reporting from neighbor islands – 1-888-380-3088
Child Trafficking Reporting – 1-808-832-1999
Child Trafficking Reporting from neighbor islands – 1-888-398-1188
Adult Abuse Reporting – 1-808-832-5115
Note: This page is designed to provide resources related to protecting against and reporting following instances of abuse. Content is subject to change and does not constitute legal advice. The Hawaii Pacific Baptist Convention is not responsible for the content on linked websites.