Let the Children Come Preparing Faith Communities to End Child Abuse and Neglect

From a Protestant perspective

• Are children safe at your church?
• What precautions have you taken to ensure they won't be abused?
• Do you know how to recognize the signs of child abuse and neglect?
• What should you do if you suspect a child in your church or neighborhood is being abused or neglected?

If you aren't sure how to answer those questions, you need Let the Children Come, a new book from Herald Press that helps churches and church-related ministries learn how to keep children safe and strengthen families.

In the context of the Bible and faith, Let the Children Come helps Christians learn about their role in ending child abuse and neglect in all communities: church, home, extended family, neighborhood, school, work. Each chapter contains real-life stories, discussion questions and action items; the appendix includes prayers, readings and exercises for use in adult education.

Table of Contents

1. Dispelling Myths of Child Abuse and Neglect
2. Spheres of Influence
3. What Does the Bible Say About Child Abuse and Neglect?
4. Child Abuse and Neglect 101
5. A Look at Neglect and Emotional Abuse
6. A Look at Physical Abuse
7. A Look at Sexual Abuse
8. Risk and Protective Factors
9. Offenders
10. Ending Child Abuse and Neglect in our Communities
11. Ending Child Abuse and Neglect in our Churches
12. Child Abuse Prevention Policies in our Churches

Appendixes

1. Parenting Curricula
2. Frequently Asked Questions on Reporting Child Abuse or Neglect
3. Denominational Statements and Resources on Child/Sexual Abuse
4. Sample Child Protection and Abuse Response Policy
5. Teaching This Material
6. Candle Time and Sample Prayers
7. Books for Children on Child Abuse and Neglect
8. Frequently Asked Questions on Background Checks
9. Church Checklist

From the author

"Sadly, children are being hurt and killed every day through abuse and neglect. While the church would like to believe that 'it doesn't happen here,' research and experience tell us that it does. Members of our faith communities need training to recognize the signs of abuse and to know how to respond. Faith communities need to be reminded of their role in protecting children, strengthening families, and ending child abuse and neglect."

Read a feature article by the author