Skills for Safeguarding: A Guide to Preventing Abuse and Fostering Healing in the Church

Table of Contents:
List of Contributors Introduction—Dr. Lisa Compton and Taylor Patterson Section I: Reality of Abuse 1. Foundational Knowledge of Safeguarding and Abuse—Taylor Patterson 2. Abuse of Power: The Effects of Abusive Relationships on Conscience—Dr. Angela Rinaldi Section II: Abuse Systems, Dynamics, and Origins 3. Child Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church: Understanding the Nature of the Abuse Crisis—Dr. Karen J. Terry 4. A Systems Lens for Understanding Abuse—Dr. Vanessa Kent and Dr. Mary L. Troy 5. Perpetrator Dynamics—Rev. David Cook 6. Sexual Morality and Sexual Scripts—Dr. Kristi Cronan Section III: Impact of Abuse 7. Impact of Trauma—Dr. Kaitlyn Callais Stafford 8. Trauma Survivors and Risk of Revictimization—Taylor Patterson 9. Impact on Children and Adolescents—Dr. Kristy M. Ford Section IV: Vulnerable Populations 10. Vulnerability of Children to Grooming Strategies—Dr. Kathryn Stamoulis 11. Older Adults and Persons with Disabilities—Dr. Kathie T. Erwin Section V: Skill Development 12. Empathetic Alliance—Cynthia Malcolm Fisher and Taylor Patterson 13. Listening and Responding—Dr. Pensiri Nuk Kongkaw-Oden and Dr. Lisa Compton 14. Emotion Regulation—Dr. Cindy Palen 15. Complexities of Safeguarding Care—Dr. Danielle H. Johnson, Dr. Lisa Compton, and Dr. Kristy M. Ford Section VI: Care for Safeguarders 16. Hazards of Providing Care—Dr. Lisa Compton and Taylor Patterson 17. Strengthening the Safeguarder—Taylor Patterson and Dr. Lisa Compton 18. Education, Collaboration, and Resources—Dr. Crista Glover, Dr. Danielle H. Johnson, and Cynthia Fisher Subject Index

About the Author :
Lisa Compton is associate professor and assistant director of the doctoral program in counselor education and supervision at Regent University. She is a licensed social worker, certified trauma treatment specialist, and coauthor of the textbook Preparing for Trauma Work in Clinical Mental Health. Taylor Patterson is a licensed professional counselor specializing in trauma, including survivors of domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. She has presented at local and national conferences and is published in peer-reviewed journals. She is currently a PhD candidate in Counselor Education and Supervision.

Review :
"The church and its ministries will be very grateful for this book! It provides an accessible and thorough account of how we can enact care and protection from abuse in the church. Readers can study the content, learn a great deal, and implement new ideas that will safeguard and then set the stage when healing is needed. I warmly recommend this book for any Christian context where there is a commitment to respond differently to the all-too-common issue of abuse." "This book covers extensive ground and will serve not only as a training manual for safeguarding officers but also as a text for any leader seeking to make church a safer place and to better respond to survivors and victims. Skills for Safeguarding should be required reading for those training for ministry—both lay and ordained. It is an excellent resource for all safeguarders in the church." "In Skills for Safeguarding, Compton and Patterson have brought clarity and process to the role of safeguarding that make it much more accessible. They give us key warnings and tie the work of safeguarding to our biblical callings. The applications and reflections ensured that I was thinking about how this all applied to me in my context. A wonderful addition to kingdom work of bringing shalom to a troubled world." "Skills for Safeguarding is a unique resource that offers an in-depth understanding of abuse from the perspectives of both the abuser and the abused. This book features data and case studies from numerous experts, helping readers comprehend the grooming process used by abusers, which enables them to identify potential issues before the issues lead to victimization. Individuals who are supporting abused persons throughout the healing process can gain insight into the abused persons' thought processes and actions as well. I highly recommend ministries use Skills for Safeguarding as valuable training material for their staff and volunteers." "Compton and Patterson offer a clear vision and practical strategies for addressing the trust deficit in churches and religious institutions. This indispensable resource provides leaders with the biblical and psychological categories and competencies necessary for safeguarding Christ's body, highlighting the beauty of the imago Dei. Written with care and compassion, this robust educational resource focuses on preventing abuse and mitigating the collateral damage when abuse is exposed. If you aspire to be a trustworthy leader, devoted to the peace and purity of the church, this book is replete with reliable behaviors and skills you can employ. I will be using this resource to train leaders for years to come." "A timely, much-needed book chock-full of practical wisdom about abuse prevention and response for church communities. This carefully constructed set of resources is a must-read for all church leaders if the church is to address the tragic reality of abuse in its midst and intentionally work toward becoming communities of healing." "More than a practical textbook for safeguarding, this is a theologically grounded call for advocacy. Richly informed by leading specialists, it offers not only a multiangled approach to understanding abuse and the effect it has on survivors but also a guide to self-care in developing the necessary skills for safeguarding. With helpful questions for both personal reflection and wider application, this is a book we should all lean into." "Skills for Safeguarding is a timely and helpful resource for any organization that works with children or other vulnerable populations. While there is not a perpetrator under every rock, abuse is far too common around the world, and the evil one knows all too well that if he wants to 'steal and kill and destroy' (John 10:10), abuse is a highly effective weapon. Bravo to these editors and contributors, or as Jesus said in Matthew 25:40, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" "Skills for Safeguarding is a call to action for leaders everywhere! With a heart for healing the hurting and a desire to protect the integrity of every organization, Dr. Lisa Compton and Taylor Patterson provide relevant information along with scriptural support to practically equip and inspire leaders to proactively safeguard all who are in their care. This book will become a roadmap for churches and ministries everywhere to create thriving, healthy, and safe environments for everyone!" "Skills for Safeguarding: A Guide to Preventing Abuse and Fostering Healing in the Church is an invaluable resource for anyone dedicated to the crucial work of safeguarding within faith communities. Authored by a panel of experts, including licensed professionals and seasoned practitioners, this book is notable for its comprehensiveness and interdisciplinary approach. The structured sections, enriched with real-life case studies and practical tools, provide clear guidance and actionable insights, making complex safeguarding concepts accessible and implementable. The emphasis on self-care, acknowledging the emotional and psychological demands placed on those in safeguarding roles is a crucial aspect of this book. This holistic perspective ensures that safeguarders are not only equipped to protect and support victims but also maintain their own well-being. As someone deeply involved in safeguarding work, I find this resource both relevant and impactful. It is a comprehensive guide, blending best practices with compassionate care, making it a must-read for church leaders, mental health professionals, and laypersons committed to creating safe and healing environments."