UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: Domestic and Sexual Abuse, adopted 1992.
The church is being challenged to listen to the stories of victims and survivors and to obtain information and guidance which will lead to wiser and more effective ways of ministry with persons who experience domestic violence and sexual abuse. The church must be a refuse for people who are hurting and is an entirely appropriate place for these issues to be addressed. We must find ways to demonstrate that the church is a place where people can feel confident in turning first, not last, for comfort and healing....
The United Methodist Church affirms the sacredness of all persons and their right to safety, nurture and are. It names domestic violence and sexual abuse as sins and pledges to work for their eradication. The church commits itself to listen to the stories of battered spouses, rape victims, abused children, adult survivors of child sexual abuse, and all others who are violated and victimized. The church further commits itself to provide leadership in responding with justice and compassion to the community at large.
Protecting and Sustaining Children, adopted 1988.
WHEREAS the Social Principles upholds the right of children to growth and development, adequate nutrition, health services, housing, education, recreation, protection against all forms of racial discrimination, cruelty, neglect, and exploitation; Therefore, be it resolved that the United Methodist Church shall uphold the rights of children, speak out when abuses occur, and advocate for the strengthening and strict enforcement of these rights.
UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST ASSOCIATION: Child Abuse and Neglect -- 1977.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: that the 1977 General Assembly of the Unitarian Universalist Association urges all person to support the Nation Center for Child Abuse and Neglect and state and local programs in child abuse and neglect, specifically by:
(1) Reporting incidents of child abuse and neglect;
(2) Publicizing, finding, and utilizing programs in child abuse and neglect;
(3) Initiating and supporting medical, social, psychological, psychiatric, legal and other services to abusing and neglecting families;
(4) Promoting and supporting interagency coordination of services by courts, police, legal counsel, social rehabilitation agencies, medical screening facilities, foster family services and other agencies.
Follow this link to the Unitarian Universalist Association resolutions on: (1) Battered Women (1979), Violence Against Women (1993) and Children, Poverty and Violence (1984).
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH (USA):Status and Needs of Children, 1991.
THEREFORE, the 203rd General Assembly (1991):
(4) Calls on the church and its members at all levels to advocate and support the development and implementation of public and private policies for the needs and rights of children, built on a prevention/ investment strategy aimed at meeting the needs of all children and families for adequate health care (including immunizations, prenatal care, and nutrition), adequate and safe housing, quality child care and education, and protection from abuse and exploitation.
UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM. Domestic Violence.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the UNITED SYNAGOGUE OF CONSERVATIVE JUDAISM calls upon all affiliated congregations wherever possible and in those instances where counseling is inadequate, the congregation assist the victims of domestic violence in obtaining appropriate protection;...
UNION OF AMERICAN HEBREW CONGREGATIONS (REFORMED)Child Abuse and Neglect, 1977
We urge our congregation to become actively involved in combating and recognizing the problem of child abuse in their own communities, to join with the interfaith community in establishing and supporting coalitions that seek passage of effective legislation safeguarding the rights and welfare of children.
NATIONAL COUNCIL OF THE CHURCHES OF CHRIST IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. Family Violence and Abuse, adopted by the General Board November 14, 1990.
Addendum to the Policy: Suggestions for Action:
(1) Speak our clearly and unequivocally in a context of justice-making, naming as sin family violence;
(3) Encourage clergy and lay leaders to work cooperatively with specialized community resources to provide for the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of victims, offenders, and other family members:...
RATIFICATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS CONVENTION ON THE RIGHTS OF HE CHILD, adopted by the General Board November 16, 1990
The General Board of the National Council of Churches, especially in light of the World Summit for Children...
-affirms the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, which recognizes the fundamental rights of the world's children and raises those rights to the level of international law.
The convention on the Rights of the Child guarantees:
children's right to protection from abuse, neglect and exploitation in times of war and peace;...
EPISCOPAL CHURCH. Child Abuse and Neglect, 1989.
Resolved, the House of Deputies concurring, that the 70th General Convention of the Episcopal Church recommend that all dioceses, congregations and church schools provide age-appropriate educational programs for children and youth for protection against sexual abuse;...
UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST. Resolution on Ending the Silence and Breaking the Cycle of Child Abuse.
THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the 193rd Annual Meet of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ:
(3) Urges local churches to begin campaigns to end the silence by raising awareness about child sexual abuse in the appropriate forums within the church in frank but sensitive ways and to form liaisons with the school systems, police departments, social service agencies and to advocate for the child through the court system;...
PRESIDENT GORDON B. HINKLEY, November 1998 (during a general LDS conference address)
"We condemn most strongly abusive behavior in any form. We denounce the physical, sexual, verbal or emotional abuse of one's spouse or children. Our proclamation on the family declares: 'Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children...Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs...Husbands and wives- mothers and fathers - will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations...We warn that individuals who violate convenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God.' (Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102)
"We are doing all we know how to do to stamp out this terrible evil. When there is recognition of equality between the husband and the wife, when there is acknowledgement that each child born into the world is a child of God, then there will follow a greater sense of responsibility to nurture, to help, to love with an enduring love those for whom we are responsible. No man who abuses his wife or children is worthy to be a member in good standing in this Church. The abuse of one's spouse and children is a most serious offense before God, and any who indulge in it may expect to be disciplined by the Church."