Why do we throw up stats on sexual assault? Why do we talk about sexual assault as a church? Because it’s part of the story of a lot of men and women in our church, and because the blood of Jesus cleanses all sin, both sin that’s been committed against us and sin we’ve committed.
Sexual assault is an epidemic: today, 1 in 4 women and 1 in 6 men have been or will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Ignoring the problem and assuming there isn’t one creates a culture in which the people can’t be honest about what has been happening to them and get the help that they need.
As a church, we want to be a place where it’s safe for people to be honest about what has happened, so that they can get hope, help, and healing through Jesus and his people.
If there is assault in your past that you have not talked about, please seek fellowship and talk with someone you trust: your spouse, parent, biblical counselor, godly church leader, or trustworthy friend, so that sin can be brought into the light.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7
Stats are taken from Pastor Justin and Lindsey Holcomb’s book, Rid of My Disgrace: Hope and Healing for Victims of Sexual Assault.
