NASHVILLE (BP) – The report containing the findings of Guidepost Solutions’ investigation into the alleged mishandling of sexual abuse claims by the Southern Baptist Convention Executive Committee was released Sunday (May 22) and included a variety of recommendations for the SBC to reform the way it deals with sexual abuse.
The 288-page-report was completed by Guidepost at the request of the Sexual Abuse Task Force, which was appointed by SBC President Ed Litton in response to a motion approved by messengers to the 2021 SBC Annual Meeting in Nashville.
In a letter accompanying the report’s release, the Task Force listed “a few initial needs,” in response to the report.
Those needs include:
- Establishment of an Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force to assist with the implementation of reform initiatives
- At least two new EC staff people – one charged with receiving calls and providing guidance related to sexual abuse and one to work for the Credentials Committee, the standing committee tasked with determining if a church is in friendly cooperation with the SBC.
- Background checks as well as sexual abuse prevention and survivor care training for all entity trustee boards and standing committees;
- Formal preparation for denominational workers and SBC seminary students in matters pertaining to sexual abuse prevention, training and survivor care.
In addition to these suggestions from the Task Force, Guidepost included several more specific recommendations for reform within the convention, including the creation of a new administrative Southern Baptist entity to “provide a permanent resource for prevention and response efforts related to sexual abuse.”
The administrative entity and its selected staff would be tasked with creating a sexual abuse prevention program (which would include policies and training), as well as managing a survivor support and assistance program.
Many of Guidepost’s suggestions concern the formation of this entity and the role it would play in the prevention of abuse and response to allegations of abuse within the convention.
Guidepost’s recommendations begin on page 259 of the full report, found here.
Bruce Frank, chair of the Sexual Abuse Task Force, told Baptist Press on Monday that formal motions and suggestions based upon all of Guidepost’s recommendations will be released on the Task Force website before the SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim on June 14-15.
