EDUCATION

Sexual abuse can be defined as: “any sexual activity – verbal, visual, or physical – engaged in without consent.” Sexual abuse occurs whenever a person – child or adult – is sexually exploited by an older or more powerful person for the satisfaction of the abuser’s desires; including verbal (lewd comments, inappropriate discussions), visual (exposure to pornography, exhibitionism, or voyeurism), and physical (forced, simulated, exposure of victim’s body to others) (Diane Langberg, On the Threshold of Hope). Sexual abusers include men and women, pastors, teachers, coaches, husbands, wives, siblings, aunts, uncles, grandparents, cousins, or family friends. Perpetrators of sexual abuse are often well-respected in the community, living a life of deceit. Victims include boys and girls, men and women. The impact of sexual abuse on victims is severe and often long-term. Sexual abuse causes trauma and life-long consequences in body, mind, and soul. Sexual abuse is the crime and sin of the offender, not of the victim. All of the guilt and shame of sexual abuse are the offender's. Whether you came to us for help or for resources, it is our hope and prayer that we can provide you with the help, hope and education that you seek.