Sexual Abuse Within the Church

This book takes a holistic approach by providing insight into the behavior and nature of sex offenders within the church. The text covers various types of sex offenders as well as their criminal propensities and methods of acquiring victims. Warning signs associated with sex crimes within the church are explained as well as security measures and prevention strategies that church leaders and criminal justice professionals can utilize to minimize risk to congregants. Discussion questions and case study scenarios are provided to allow the reader to examine relevant issues and explore a range of potential solutions and interventions. This comprehensive book is intended for criminal justice academicians who teach courses on sex crimes and sex offenders, criminal justice agents (police and investigators), seminary professors and students, and clergy members. It can also assist security teams, church board members, leaders, and teachers in developing intervention and prevention strategies.

Chris Rush Burkey is an Associate Professor in the Criminal Justice and Criminology Department at East Tennessee State University. She received her B.A. and M.A. in Criminal Justice and Criminology from East Tennessee State University and Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. She has published books and book chapters as well as articles in peer-reviewed journals including Deviant Behavior, Journal of Interpersonal Violence, and Violence & Gender, focusing primarily on sex crimes and sexual offenders. She has worked with several federal, state, and local agencies regarding various criminal justice matters such as program evaluation, forensic training, and investigative policies and regulations. Michael C. Braswell is Professor Emeritus in the Criminal Justice and Criminology Department at East Tennessee State University. He received four degrees in psychology and counseling from Mercer University, the University of West Georgia, the University of Georgia, and the University of Southern Mississippi. A former marriage and family therapist and prison psychologist, he has published books on criminal justice ethics, peacemaking, correctional counseling, social justice issues, and the spiritual journey. John T. Whitehead is Professor Emeritus and former Chair in the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at East Tennessee State University. He completed an M.A. in Sociology at the University of Notre Dame and earned his M.A. and Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from the University at Albany. He has taught courses in corrections, criminal justice ethics, and the death penalty. His current book projects are a book on teaching and a book on human relations in law enforcement.

1. A Christian Perspective: Historical and Modern Contexts; 2. Sex Crimes and Sex Offenders in the United States; 3. In the Name of the Father: Sex Crimes in the Church; 4. Predators Among Us: Church Leaders and Parishioners; 5. The Victim's Lament: Warning Signs and Consequences; 6. An Essential Priority: Maintaining Church Security; 7. Protect this House: Leadership Prevention Strategies; 8. What Will the Neighbors Think: The Church's Response to Sex Crimes; 9. All God's Children: A Known Sex Offender in the Church; 10. The Scales of Justice: Legal Issues for the Church; 11. #CHURCHTOO: A Way Forward