FaithTrust Institute to Address Sexual Discrimination & Abuse at Southwest Baptist Univ., the Missouri Baptist Con & First Baptist-Bolivar

Few resources exist within the Missouri and Southern Baptist Conventions to tackle the issues of:

• violence against women,
• the harassment, sexual hazing and debasement of female students at Southwest Baptist University,
• and the abuse of sexual boundaries by administrators, university staff and associates of SBU and within Missouri Baptist Convention and Missouri Baptist churches in general.

Therefore, Marie will request that Southwest Baptist University, the Missouri Baptist Convention and First Baptist Church of Bolivar, MO work with the interfaith and ecumenical FaithTrust Institute (here) to develop customized educational training and resource development program to address these issues.

FaithTrust Institute’s Initiatives include:

Clergy Ethics

• Offering specifically designed training and educational materials to help religious institutions of all faiths reduce incidents of sexual abuse by clergy and to train clergy on boundary issues.

• Addressing professional ethics and sexual abuse through theological education.

Information on FOUNDATIONAL and CUSTOMIZED TRAINING
for Sexual Abuse by Clergy Initiative (here).

Congregational Safety and Health

• Supporting clergy and lay leaders in creating and sustaining healthy and safe congregations, emphasizing the prevention of child sexual abuse.

Healthy Families

• Providing educational print and video materials addressing child abuse, domestic violence, and healthy teen relationships.
• Training religious leaders to engage their communities in being part of a comprehensive community response to domestic violence.