Abusers set up new churches, preach again about God’s love, receive official recognition from ‘the good people’, and host lavish meals to celebrate their own success. Victims try to rebuild their own life, in silence.

Economic dependence, power imbalance and other factors should be taken into account when churches offer help to migrants or refugees. Miriam Araujo addressed risks and good practices.

The way we deal with cases of abuse in our communities is not a minor issue: it is a profoundly spiritual, pastoral, ethical and also missionary matter. An essay outlining three models and four mistakes that churches often make.

Colombian university lecturer Lina Fernanda Montoya has accompanied around 20 victims. In Madrid, she explained observable patterns when abuse occurs in evangelical churches.

A training day in Madrid on abuse in Christian contexts, with experts from GRACE, explored the challenges and opportunities for restoring victims, as well as creating an integrity-based and fair church culture.

María Eugenia Prendes expressed her support for initiatives that “open the eyes to an unnoticed reality that is important to address” in faith contexts.

GRACE visits Madrid at the invitation of the ‘Psalm 15 Table’ to offer training and meet with pastors, legal experts, politicians and the media.

The third Interdenominational Forum in Spain addressed violence against women and children and the creation of safe churches. 15 speakers addressed the situation from many angles.

More than 100 churches and mission organisations, as well as 140 Christian leaders, have signed a document backed by biblical references calling for an end to the culture of silence. Meanwhile, stories of abuse are being shared on social media.

It remains one of the most painful taboos within faith communities.

In response to cases of abuse in churches, influential evangelical leaders, denominations, and mission organisations want to break the culture of silence and prioritise the well-being of victims over institutional reputation.