Updated: August 8, 2022
A joint statement on the creation of an SBC Sexual Abuse Hotline:
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.
The hotline can be reached at 202-864-5578 or SBChotline@guidepostsolutions.com.
If in the event, you are contacting Guidepost to report a current incident involving sexual abuse, child abuse or any other ongoing and potentially violent behavior by someone, please also contact your local law enforcement agency for immediate help. Please dial 911 if you or someone else is in need of immediate assistance.
If you are calling to report any abuse allegation either current or historic involving a minor, depending on the circumstances, the timeframe and the jurisdiction, Guidepost or the SBC Executive Committee may be required by law to report such allegation to state law enforcement, child protective services or other agencies. Please dial 911 if you know of anyone under the age of 18 that is in immediate danger or currently being abused.
In response to requests, the SBC Executive Committee has released the list of pastors and other church-affiliated personnel accused of sexual abuse. This 205-page database was made public late Thursday. It includes more than 700 entries from cases that largely span from 2000 to 2019.
The release statement is available on the SBC website.
The Report of the Independent Investigation is now available from the Task Force.
On September 9, 2021, the Task Force announced that Guidepost Solutions was retained to conduct the independent assessment and investigation regarding the Executive Committee of the SBC, as commissioned by the Messengers of the Convention at the 2021 SBC annual meeting. Pursuant to the Letter of Engagement, Guidepost’s mandate is as follows:
Specifically, and as directed by the SBC Motion, Guidepost will investigate:
In addition, Guidepost will perform an audit of the procedures and actions of the Credentials Committee after its formation in mid-June 2019, using best standards and practices designed to ensure accountability, transparency, and care for the wellbeing of survivors of sexual abuse.
Anyone who would like to provide relevant information to Guidepost in furtherance of the investigation may do so using the following email address: ECInvestigation@guidepostsolutions.com
If you wish to provide information by U.S. Mail, please use the following address:
Guidepost Solutions
Attn: SBC EC Investigation
1130 Connecticut Avenue, NW
Suite 520
Washington, DC 20036
Additional information regarding the Task Force and the scope of the investigation can be found here.
A press release announcing the retention of Guidepost can be found here.