Many churches operate under the comforting assumption that “our church is safe for our kids.” They believe their focus on biblical values and tight-knit community inherently protects children. However, as Deepak Reju highlights in his book On Guard: Preventing and Responding to Child Abuse at Church, this assumption is not only false but also dangerous.
Here’s why.
False security in faith
Churches often see themselves as sanctuaries, places where God’s love and biblical teachings guide every action. While this is an admirable goal, it doesn’t make a church immune to the realities of abuse. Reju warns that predators are drawn to faith-based settings precisely because of this assumption of inherent safety. By believing that their spiritual focus makes them exempt from abuse risks, churches inadvertently lower their guard.
This false sense of security can lead to complacency, where basic precautions like background checks, training and policies are neglected. Abuse can happen anywhere, even in environments committed to God’s teachings.
Inadequate policies
Relying on the idea that a church is “safe” often results in insufficient preparation for preventing and responding to abuse. Without written policies, churches may lack:
- Clear guidelines for appropriate interactions with children.
- Processes for reporting suspected abuse.
- Training for staff and volunteers to recognize grooming behaviors and warning signs.
Reju emphasizes that having no policies, or inadequate ones, creates opportunities for predators to exploit gaps in accountability. Churches must recognize that good intentions alone are not enough to protect children.
Victim-blaming
When abuse occurs in a church that believes itself to be “safe,” the response often focuses on protecting the church’s reputation rather than supporting the victim. This can include:
- Downplaying the severity of the abuse.
- Questioning the credibility of the victim.
- Prioritizing the church’s image over justice and healing.
Reju notes that this instinctive reaction to “circle the wagons” not only silences victims but also enables abusers to continue harming others. True safety requires putting the needs of survivors first.
How PPE Kids can help
At PPE Kids, we help churches move beyond assumptions of safety and toward proactive child protection:
- Comprehensive training: equip your church with the knowledge to recognize and respond to abuse effectively.
- Policy development: we work with churches to create robust child protection policies tailored to their unique environment.
- Screening processes: thorough background checks and vetting procedures for all staff and volunteers.
- Ongoing support: from crisis management guidance to educational resources, we help churches maintain a culture of vigilance.
- Independent external audits: regular external evaluations keep your church’s practices compliant and effective.
Breaking the assumption
The belief that “our church is safe for our kids” must be replaced with a commitment to vigilance, preparation and accountability. Safety cannot be assumed; it must be actively created. Churches are called not only to preach God’s love but also to embody it by protecting the most vulnerable in their midst.
By partnering with PPE Kids, churches can take the necessary steps to protect children, respond to abuse appropriately, and create an environment where families can worship without fear.
The Church Assumption Risk series: #1 “It will never happen to us” · #2 “Sexual predators are monsters” · #3 “We know the people in our church” · #4 “Our church is safe for our kids”
