Ministering Resources: Abuse (Help for the Offender)

When you become aware of any abuse, contact your [blank_start]bishop[blank_end]. A help line is available for your bishop in dealing with this issue.

Abuse can include [blank_start]spiritual[blank_end], [blank_start]emotional[blank_end], [blank_start]physical[blank_end], or [blank_start]sexual[blank_end] mistreatment. The first responsibility of the Church in abuse cases is to help, in a [blank_start]kind[blank_end] and [blank_start]sensitive[blank_end] way, those who have been abused and to [blank_start]protect[blank_end] those who may be vulnerable to future abuse. While some types of abuse may cause physical harm, all forms of abuse affect the [blank_start]mind[blank_end] and [blank_start]spirit[blank_end]. Abuse often destroys [blank_start]faith[blank_end] and can cause [blank_start]confusion[blank_end], [blank_start]doubt[blank_end], [blank_start]mistrust[blank_end], [blank_start]guilt[blank_end], and [blank_start]fear[blank_end] in the victim.