Less than 24-hours after announcing the SBC Executive Committee (EC) would work with Guidepost Solutions to enter into an agreement to establish a hotline for individuals affected by sexual abuse within Southern Baptist churches, the hotline was established. The number is (202) 864-5578.
A joint statement released May 25 by the Executive Committee, Guidepost Solutions, and the SBC Sexual Abuse Task Force said they “have been fielding calls from survivors regarding allegations of abuse from within the SBC.”
At the May 24 special-called EC meeting, Interim EC President and CEO Willie McLaurin described the hotline as an effort to ensure “each and every individual impacted by sexual abuse within the SBC” would have a place to “process their story, report their abuse, and have access to care and caring resources.”
The statement called the hotline an “important stopgap measure for survivors” between now and the SBC Annual Meeting being held June 14-15 in Anaheim, Ca. when “messengers can pass even more meaningful reforms.”
Guidepost Solutions will facilitate the hotline and all information will be treated confidentially.
In addition to the phone number, survivors may also email SBChotline@guidepostsolutions.com.
The 288-page report into the EC’s handling of sexual abuse claims in the denomination since 2000 by Guidepost Solutions was released May 22.