Institutional Accountability and Victim Justice: An Analysis of the Assemblies of God Response to Sexual Abuse Allegations

Executive Summary

This report examines the response of the Assemblies of God leadership to a significant sexual abuse scandal originating from one of its college ministries. The organization has pledged policy reforms in the wake of numerous victim testimonies. However, statements from survivors indicate dissatisfaction with the proposed measures. This situation is analyzed through the framework of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), highlighting critical failures and necessary actions related to justice, institutional integrity, and human well-being.

Challenges to SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions

The scandal represents a profound failure to uphold the principles of SDG 16, which calls for the creation of effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.

• Institutional Accountability (Target 16.6): The core of the issue lies in a systemic failure to develop accountable and transparent institutions. The abuse scandal indicates a breakdown in protective policies and oversight, undermining the trust essential for institutional strength.
• Protection from Violence and Abuse (Target 16.2): The events are a direct violation of the goal to end abuse, exploitation, and all forms of violence against and torture of children and vulnerable individuals. The organization’s primary responsibility is to create safe environments, a duty that was not met.
• Access to Justice (Target 16.3): The reported dissatisfaction of victims suggests that the path to justice remains obstructed. For the institution to align with SDG 16, it must ensure that all victims have equal access to justice and that remedies are effective and meaningful.

Implications for SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality)

The consequences of the scandal extend beyond institutional governance, deeply affecting fundamental human rights and well-being.

• Health and Well-being (SDG 3): Sexual abuse inflicts severe and lasting psychological and physical trauma. An effective institutional response, including comprehensive support systems for survivors, is critical to promoting mental health and well-being, as mandated by SDG 3.
• Eliminating Violence (SDG 5): Sexual abuse is a form of violence that disproportionately, though not exclusively, affects women and girls. The commitment to policy reform is a crucial step toward eliminating such violence within the organization’s communities, contributing to the broader objectives of SDG 5.

A Path Forward Aligned with Sustainable Development Goals

To rebuild trust and align with global standards for sustainable and just societies, the Assemblies of God must take decisive, transparent, and victim-centered actions.

1. Establish Independent Accountability Mechanisms: To fulfill the mandate of SDG 16, the organization must create and empower an independent body to investigate all allegations, enforce policies, and ensure that institutional responses are free from internal bias.
2. Adopt a Victim-Centered Approach: All reforms must be developed in direct consultation with survivors. This includes providing comprehensive support for physical and mental health (SDG 3) and ensuring their voices are central to shaping new, protective policies (SDG 16).
3. Implement Robust Prevention and Education Programs: A proactive stance is required to create safe environments. This involves mandatory, ongoing training for all leaders and staff on abuse prevention and trauma-informed care, contributing to safe educational settings (SDG 4) and strong institutions (SDG 16).
4. Ensure Public Transparency and Reporting: The organization should commit to regular, public reporting on the progress of its reforms, including statistics on abuse claims and their resolution. This transparency is fundamental to rebuilding trust and demonstrating a genuine commitment to accountability (Target 16.6).

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

This goal is central to the article, which discusses a failure of institutional accountability (a “sex abuse scandal”) and the subsequent need for justice for victims and strengthening of the institution through policy changes. The core of the issue is about ensuring institutions are safe, accountable, and provide justice for abuse.

• The article highlights a “sex abuse scandal” within the Assemblies of God, pointing to a breakdown in institutional safeguards and justice mechanisms.
• The promise by leaders to “make changes to policy” is a direct attempt to build a more accountable and effective institution, which aligns with the objectives of SDG 16.

SDG 5: Gender Equality

This goal is relevant as it aims to end all forms of violence and exploitation against women and girls. Sexual abuse is a form of gender-based violence, and addressing it is a key component of achieving gender equality, regardless of the victim’s gender.

• The article’s focus on a “sex abuse scandal” directly relates to the goal of eliminating sexual violence and exploitation.

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

The well-being of the victims is a critical aspect of the story. Sexual abuse has severe and lasting impacts on the physical, mental, and emotional health of survivors.

• The article refers to “numerous victims,” implying significant harm to their well-being. Addressing the scandal and providing support for victims is essential for promoting their health and recovery.

Specific Targets Identified

1. SDG Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children.

   The article discusses a “sex abuse scandal” within a “college ministry.” While the victims’ ages aren’t all specified, college ministries often serve young people, including those who may be legally considered children or are in a vulnerable young adult stage. The nature of the crime—sexual abuse—is precisely what this target aims to eliminate.

2. SDG Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.

   The “sex abuse scandal” is a clear example of the sexual violence and exploitation that this target seeks to eradicate. The institutional setting (a college ministry) represents a private sphere where such violence occurred.

3. SDG Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable and transparent institutions at all levels.

   The scandal itself signifies a failure of the institution to be effective and accountable in protecting its members. The promise by “Leaders of the Assemblies of God… to make changes to policy” is a direct response aimed at developing a more accountable and transparent system to prevent future abuse.

Indicators for Measuring Progress

The article implies several indicators that could be used to measure progress toward the identified targets:

• Number of victims of sexual abuse

  The article mentions “numerous victims,” indicating that a key measure of the problem’s scale is the number of people affected. A reduction in such numbers would indicate progress toward Target 16.2 and 5.2.

• Implementation of policies and procedures to prevent abuse

  The article explicitly states that leaders have “promised to make changes to policy.” The existence, adoption, and enforcement of these new policies serve as a direct indicator of the institution’s efforts to become more accountable and effective, as called for in Target 16.6.

• Victim satisfaction with institutional response

  The article notes that one victim “says he’s not yet satisfied with their promises.” This highlights that the perception of justice and the adequacy of the institutional response by survivors is a crucial qualitative indicator for measuring whether justice is being served and institutions are truly becoming accountable.

Summary of Findings

Source: nbcnews.com