Silver Spring, MD. September 13, 2017—Adventist Risk Management, Inc. (ARM) along with several organizations presented at the North American Division’s enditnow Pastors’ Summit on Abuse on Monday and Tuesday, September 11 and 12. The summit brought together pastors, chaplains, and leaders of the North American Division for training on how to identify abuse, help victims, and work toward abuse prevention. The event was held in the Spencerville Adventist Church in Silver Spring, Maryland and live-streamed on the enditnow Facebook page in English and Spanish.
Speakers presented on abuse topics including domestic abuse and teen abuse. ARM supported the summit by speaking about child-on-child abuse and related legal issues. A team of social media experts managed questions submitted by viewers on Facebook and Twitter, and speakers spent time after their presentations responding to questions online. Attendees received related resources, including information on a new online course on abuse from the Adventist Learning Community. The recorded presentations and links to resources will be available on the enditnow website.
David Fournier, vice president and chief client care officer at ARM, presented the topic of child-to-child bullying. “This is an opportunity to raise awareness and provide practical solutions for our leaders,” said Fournier. “This topic can be uncomfortable, but it is important to understand. We are accustomed to looking outside for the danger. But what if the abuse is taking place internally between our children?”
“Pastors have an opportunity to set a tone for their church and move in that direction,” said Fournier. “When we allow a culture of bullying to take place, it escalates. Forming the correct protection for those who are vulnerable is important.”
The second day of presentations occurred on Tuesday, September 12 where all speakers presented in Spanish, including ARM Account Executive Daisy Montes de Oca who also spoke about child-to-child bullying to Spanish-speaking attendees. “We often ignore unpleasant topics, but it is important for the Latin community to support our children and to be aware if abuse is taking place, especially between young people.”
For more information and free resources on child protection, visit ARM’s Child Protection page.