NASHVILLE (BP and local reports) – A hotline has been established to allow persons to file confidential reports regarding sexual abuse in churches and agencies affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC). The hotline can be reached at (202) 864-5578, or by e-mailing SBChotline@guidepostsolutions.com.
Hotline: (202) 864-5578 or SBChotline@guidepostsolutions.com
The hotline was established after May 22 release of the Sexual Abuse Task Force report. The report, conducted by independent contractor Guidepost Solutions, detailed decades of mishandling of sexual abuse complaints by the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee and some SBC agencies.
The Task Force has made a number of recommendations going forward, including, “We recommend that the Executive Committee hire a subject matter expert(s) to receive calls, provide initial guidance for reports of sexual abuse, and work with state conventions for training and educational opportunities.”
The hotline will be facilitated by Guidepost Solutions. All information will be held as confidential. In addition to being available at the telephone number and e-mail address listed in the first paragraph, a voicemail option on the main telephone line of the Executive Committee in Nashville will give callers the ability to connect with the hotline when they call.
If needed and desired, reports made to the hotline can also be submitted to the SBC Credentials Committee for inquiry.
A joint statement from the Executive Committee, Guidepost Solutions, and the Sexual Abuse Task Force on the creation of an SBC Sexual Abuse Hotline reads as follows:
“Since the release of the Guidepost report on Sunday, the SBC Executive Committee, Guidepost Solutions, and members of the Sexual Abuse Task Force have been fielding calls from survivors regarding allegations of sexual abuse. Today, the SBC Executive Committee entered into an agreement for Guidepost to maintain a hotline for survivors or their proxies to submit allegations of abuse within the SBC. All submitters will remain confidential. Survivors will be notified of the available options for care and will be put in touch with an advocate.
While Guidepost will not be inquiring into the allegations at this time, they will hold the information confidentially. The Sexual Abuse Task Force will be assisting the SBC Executive Committee and the Convention in establishing processes for proper inquiries, and this hotline will serve as a resource to survivors and entities in responding properly while we work to put more permanent procedures in place. This hotline will be an important stopgap measure for survivors between now and the 2022 SBC Annual Meeting in Anaheim, when the messengers can pass even more meaningful reforms.”
