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Seventh-day Adventists stand against child abuse

Leaders of the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division have reaffirmed their position against child abuse.   We need to be constantly sensitized to the plight of children who are victims and potential victims.  Pastor Busi Khumalo, SID Youth Ministries Director added to the discussion.  He said: “we need to implement stringent screening processes before appointing employees or volunteers who work with children.  We should never fail in taking proper precautions.”

During the year-end meetings the church has taken a vote in favor of children.  This is not a new emphasis of the church.  But this action strengthens the position of the church and sends a clear message that Seventh-day Adventists will not tolerate child abuse and at the same time the church will not ‘protect’ those who are guilty.  “We will not keep quiet,” was the clear message.

Mr Goodwell Nthani, SID Chief Financial Officer implored that under no circumstances should we ‘cover up.’  “We should not maintain secrecy when we should speak out.  Child abuse should never be taken lightly,” he said.  Women’s Ministry Director, Mrs Caroline Chola raised the cry and plea of the affected.  She said: “we need to change our attitude and accept that abuse is real and do something about it.  We have voted but it is time for action.”  She also highlighted the enditnow campaign.

enditnow is a global campaign to raise awareness and advocate for the end of violence against women and girls around the world.  It aims to mobilize Adventists around the world and invites other community groups to join in to resolve this worldwide issue.  This campaign, which extends to more than 200 countries and territories, was launched in October 2009 in partnership between the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA)-a prominent humanitarian organization-and the Department of Women’s Ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, two entities that are representative of the Adventist Church.

In bringing the discussion to a close, chairperson and SID President, Dr Paul Ratsara said: “we need to be the voice of the voiceless.  We, as leaders, must bring change.”  He further encouraged that we must be consistent in our emphasis and do all we can to stand against child abuse.”

Global 7 campaign

Seventh-day Adventists affirm the dignity and worth of each human being and decry all forms of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.

Seventh-day Adventists are called to not only make it clear that we stand against child abuse, but we want to get our members talking and actually engaged in spotting and and putting measures in place to prevent misconduct.

The Seven Campaign is a clear stand taken by the Seventh-day Adventist® Church to end all forms of child abuse including bullying, neglect, physical, emotional, and sexual abuse worldwide.

This campaign, which will extend to more than 200 countries and territories, was launched on August 6, 2012, in partnership between Adventist Risk Management (ARM), Adventist Education, The Center for Conflict Resolution at La Sierra University, Christian Record Services for the Blind, Center for Youth Evangelism (CYE), John Hancock Center at La Sierra University, and the Children’s, Women’s, Family and Youth Ministries of the Seventh-day Adventist® Church.

Paul Charles

SID Communication – We Connect …

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