28 April 2021- Martin Shadwick READ FULL ARTICLE HERE
In any of these instances, “brand preservation” may exert an undue influence on the process. Already, the abuser will, in subtle ways, have begun to isolate the victim and to cast doubt on their credibility. These various forms of internal reporting will reinforce the victim’s dependence on systems which have been established by, or are linked to, the ministry leader, and within which he or she wields all the power.
Christian organisations often treat reported instances of bullying instead as “conflicts of personality”— their first response being a proposal to bring the parties together to work through their differences (perhaps using a conflict resolution model along the lines of PeaceWise). The victim seeks an investigation; they are instead ushered into a mediation. They are brought face to face with their abuser—again in a situation where the balance of power weighs in his or her favour. After all, it suits the abuser’s interests to portray the situation as a conflict of personality.
Beyond that, a manipulative abuser will already have been gaslighting their victim. The abuser will use their spiritual authority to demand loyalty and compliance. As soon as the victim begins to question the abuser’s behaviour, a range of strategies are available to sow doubt in the victim’s mind. “We ought to think the best of each other; don’t impute motives to me … It’s important to be a team player … We must be careful not to gossip … We need to protect each other’s reputations, for the sake of the gospel.” By the time the victim is contemplating a report, they will often be wracked with self-doubt, questioning their own perception of events, and fearful of their own impure thoughts and motives (bitterness, revenge). “Every matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” (2 Cor 13:1) But it must not be left to the victim to search for others who can confirm a pattern of abuse.
Published at thegospelcoalition.org.au
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