Christians Urged to Tackle Child Abuse

By Marcia Dixon
The Voice
January 20, 2013

http://www.voice-online.co.uk/article/christians-urged-tackle-child-abuse


The faith community can no longer ignore tragic cases of sexual exploitation says charity boss

THE HEAD of a community organisation that works provides mentoring to young black boys and provides support to families has said churches need to play more a role in combatting the sexual exploitation and abuse of children.

Melvyn Davis is Director of Boyz to Men. He told Soul Stirrings: “Churches have an important role to play. Firstly in the area of education and self awareness. Children who attend church are targeted just as much as children on the streets. Church members need to educate themselves about the problems that the children in their communities are facing and gain experience by having members trained as well as volunteering with organisations involved in tackling these issues.”

His comments come in the wake of a number of media stories about sexual exploitation and sexual violence against women which beg the question what pressure can the church bring to bear on this issue?

ASSAULTED

One story that’s filled news headlines is of the 23 year old Indian woman who died recently as a result of being gang raped and assaulted on a bus in Delhi, India. Her death has caused protests across India.

Here in the UK, a report was released in November by the Office of Children’s Commissioners which revealed that thousands of children were sexually abused by gangs and groups. The report identified that up to 16,500 children were in danger of being sexually exploited and that there were higher levels of victimisation within black and minority ethnic communities.

The effects of sexual victimisation are illustrated with the current inquest into the death of 13 year old Chevonea Kendall-Bryan.

She died in March 2011 after falling 60ft to her death in a tragic accident from her home in Battersea, south west London.

The inquest revealed that the schoolgirl had been the victim of bullying, which worsened after she had been forced to perform a sexual act on two boys sending the young girl into a spiral of depression.

This case is very sad one, and highlights the pressure young girls experience from their male peers for sexual favours and its effect on their psyche.

KEY FACTOR

Melvyn Davis believes the availability of porn, and gang affiliation is a key factor behind the rise of sexual exploitation of children. He said: “Boys who are exposed to porn at an early age are more inclined to replicate the scenes they have witnessed.

Girls are being sexually initiated into gangs to be passed around amongst members or used to settle disputes between rival gangs. In some cases the girls are driven to seek the protection of one gang to prevent rape or violence at the hands of another.”

Due to the major role that churches play in the black community, Melvyn believes that they are in the perfect position to spearhead efforts to raise awareness and help prevent sexual abuse of children. Church members need to educate themselves about the problems children in their communities are facing and gain experience by having members trained as well as volunteering with organisations involved in tackling these issues.”

He added: “Church members should also consider becoming mentors to help support and act as role models to children whose parents are separated and seeking recognition within gangs or gang affiliated activities. Churches really should be places where children and parents can receive unconditional, social and emotional support and be signposted to other community services.”