What the Bible Says to Abuse Survivors (Victor Veith)

What the Bible Says to Abuse Survivors

and Those Who Hurt Them

Pastors and church personnel often struggle to apply intentional and appropriate doses of both biblical grace and stringent accountability to victims and perpetrators of child sexual abuse. Churches can regularly be prone to turn the tables on survivors by applying a heavy dosage of conviction to victims and misguided clemency toward perpetrators. The mishandling of abuse incidents in the church drives victims away from the church.  Further, it emboldens offenders, debasing the name of our Savior.

Victor Vieth offers a deeper understanding of both abuser and victim dynamics so that church leaders can move past ignorance and prevailing myths to tackle this devastating issue with the power of grace and truth afforded by the good news of Jesus. He explains typical dynamics of how and when child sexual abuse is reported, gives an overview of dynamics of child molesters, and describes healing ways to represent Jesus to survivors. This timely resource will equip churches to wisely and accurately step in to take care of its most vulnerable members.

About the Author

Victor Vieth is a former child abuse prosecutor who went on to to direct the National Center for Prosecution of Child Abuse, a program of the National District Attorneys Association (NDAA). He worked with the NDAA and Winona State University in creating the National Child Protection Training Center, which is now a program of Gundersen Health System. Mr. Vieth has been instrumental in implementing dozens of undergraduate and graduate courses on child maltreatment.  He has also started numerous state and international forensic interview training programs.

He has published dozens of peer-reviewed works on child abuse and has received numerous awards and honors for his work. Mr. Vieth serves on the board of directors of the Academy on Violence & Abuse (AVA), GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment), and on the advisory board to Male Survivor. Through GRACE, he is developing a seminary course on child sexual abuse.