Preventing Child Sexual Abuse in the Church

In this powerful and necessary episode of the Finding God Podcast, host Keana W. Mitchell begins a 4‑part series on how to prevent child sexual abuse in the church. Building on last week’s discussion about understanding abuse within faith communities, this episode shifts the focus toward proactive, faith‑centered prevention.

Keana approaches this sensitive topic with compassion, clarity, and biblical grounding. She reminds listeners that protecting children is not only a moral responsibility but a spiritual mandate. Through Scripture, best practices from Darkness to Light, and practical guidance for parents and church leaders, this episode equips listeners to create safer, more accountable environments for children.

✨ What You’ll Learn in This Episode

• Why prevention is essential for every church community
• How Scripture calls believers to protect the vulnerable
• The emotional and spiritual impact of abuse
• Best practices from Darkness to Light’s Stewards of Children® program
• How to establish strong child protection policies
• The importance of training staff, volunteers, and parents
• How accountability structures reduce risk
• What parents can do to advocate for their children
• Why prevention is an act of love, stewardship, and obedience to God

📖 Key Scriptures Mentioned

• Matthew 18:6 — God’s warning about harming children
• Psalm 82:3 — Defending the weak and fatherless
• Proverbs 31:8 — Speaking up for those who cannot speak
• Hosea 4:6 — The importance of knowledge
• Ephesians 5:11 — Exposing deeds of darkness
• Isaiah 1:17 — Seeking justice and defending the oppressed
• Psalm 127:3 — Children as God’s heritage

🛡️ Best Practices from Darkness to Light

This episode highlights several evidence‑based prevention strategies, including:

• Written child protection policies
• Mandatory background checks
• Two‑adult rule in all youth settings
• Visibility and open‑door policies
• Annual training for staff and volunteers
• Recognizing grooming behaviors
• Clear reporting procedures
• Accountability and oversight committees

These practices help churches create safer, more transparent environments where children can thrive.

🧡 Free Training from The Healing Project

Listeners are invited to access a free online training from The Healing Project, designed specifically for parents, volunteers, and church leaders. This training covers:

• Recognizing grooming
• Responding to disclosures
• Teaching children about safe and unsafe touch
• Understanding how predators operate
• Creating safer church environments

This is a valuable resource for anyone committed to child safety in faith communities.

🙏 Why This Matters

Protecting children is a sacred responsibility. As Keana shares, prevention is not just a policy — it is a spiritual practice rooted in justice, compassion, and the heart of God. This episode empowers listeners to take meaningful steps toward building churches where children are safe, valued, and protected.

🔜 Things discussed this month

This month, Keana will explore:

• How church culture influences safety
• Leadership responsibilities
• Survivor‑centered responses
• Rebuilding trust after harm
• Long‑term strategies for creating safe churches

📬 Contact Information for Keana W. Mitchell — Finding God Podcast 

🌐 Website 

Emory Rose 

https://keanawmitchell.com 

📘 Facebook Page 

Finding God 

https://www.facebook.com/FindingGod 

👥 Facebook Group 

Finding God Community 

https://www.facebook.com/groups/FindingGod 

📸 Instagram 

Keana W. Mitchell 

https://www.instagram.com/findinggod2 

🎧 Listen to Finding God on RedCircle 

https://redcircle.com/shows/190efd66-2f1a-4c5f-861e-40ab89d4c41b 

📧 Email 

paperanthementertainment@gmail.com 

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