Does The Gender of The Victim Make A Difference
In How We See Abuse in Evangelical Communities? Let There Be Light!
Does gender make a difference in how we see abuse in evangelical communities?
Does the heteronormative lens that applies in most evangelical churches make it “easier” to name abuse when it is perpetuated by a male leader towards a male congregation member?
Or does one’s professional status make them more believable over a general congregation member?
I am encouraged by the amount of support men are giving to the voices of other males who have experienced abuse by soul survivor founder … There are many male ministers I’ve seen comment on social media with praise for speaking out, for the courage they have shown and for highlighting the abuse that many have experienced in faith communities. This is really encouraging.
However… Just a observation…
I’ve not yet seen the accusations of the male victims being named a jezebel (is there even a male equivalent used from the Bible?), a liar, or being blamed for tempting the pastor into sin!
I’ve not seen the other commentary that comes from other evangelical leaders or congregation members when women speak up against being abused by a male clergy! I’ve not seen women given the same support by male leaders in the church thanking them for their courage or for highlighting abuse agains women.
Let me make it clear … both men and women are not to blame for their abuse. Full stop. The blame for grooming and abuse belongs to the perpetrator.
I am just fascinated at the two different narratives we see in the two very prominent cases at the moment in the media. The IHOPKC case with women victims being blamed and shamed and shunned and not believed … or, subject to needing to prove themselves….. and in the Soul Survivor case male victims being supported and believed.
If you have no idea what I am talking about… Matt and Beth Redman just released a brilliant documentary covering spiritual abuse and sexual abusive behaviours experienced at Soul Survivor.
The 30min documentary has leading experts talk about the trauma of abuse in a faith context and the long term impacts
I am encouraged this topic has been spoken about by someone with incredible influence in faith communities… I hope it is well received coming from within.
If you have noticed this within your faith community, I’d be interested to hear your thoughts.
Here is the documentary link…. Very much worth watching.