Southern Baptist Convention Sex Abuse List
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) sex abuse list is a comprehensive, 205-page file of more than 700 pastors and other church workers who have been credibly accused of sexual abuse, going back as far as 1998.
According to the SBC Sexual Abuse Task Force (SATF), most of the abusers on the list either confessed in court, were criminally convicted, or had a civil judgment against them.
Where did the SBC Sex Abuse List Come from?
In 2019, an investigative report by a team of journalists from The San Antonio Express-News and The Houston Chronicle uncovered the SBC sex abuse scandal. They also released a searchable database that includes 263 SBC church leaders and volunteers who had been convicted of sexual abuse crimes over the last 20 years, many of whom are now in prison. Overall, they found 380 SBC members who had faced allegations from over 700 survivors.
In November 2021, the SBC SATF commissioned Guidepost Solutions, a third-party investigation company, to examine the procedures and actions of SBC committees regarding alleged sexual abuse cases. The scathing report released in May 2022 found that these committees:
- Mishandled abuse allegations
- Mistreated and shamed victims
- Prioritized protecting the SBC from liability
- Resisted sexual abuse reform efforts
They determined that one of the most troubling aspects of the SBC sex abuse scandal was the actions SBC committees took in response to abuse allegations. When survivors came forward with traumatic stories of sex abuse by church pastors and others, they were often dismissed, intimidated, or even vilified by SBC committee members.
According to National Public Radio (NPR), the SBC’s coverup operation included maintaining a “secret list” of abusers containing over 700 names. While it remained private for many years, SBC released the partially redacted list to the public following the release of Guidepost Solutions’ report.
According to the Associated Press, the SBC’s Executive Committee leaders, Rolland Slade and Willie McLaurin released a joint statement saying, “Our prayer is that the survivors of these heinous acts find hope and healing, and that churches will utilize this list proactively to protect and care for the most vulnerable among us.”
Who Is Not on the SBC Sex Abuse List?
One notable case not included on the sex abuse list involves an SBC pastor’s wife who reported to third-party investigators that a former SBC President had sexually assaulted her in July 2010. This incident was noted in the investigation’s May 2022 report.
Another notable name not on the SBC sex abuse list is Paul Pressler, a former Texas state judge and prominent SBC leader. According to WORLD News Group, several men have accused Pressler of sexual misconduct. While the statute of limitations has expired on some of these cases, one is still active in the Texas courts, per Ministry Watch.
Resources for Sexual Abuse Survivors
If you are a survivor or a loved one of a survivor of sexual abuse or assault in an SBC church, you are encouraged to report the offenses directly to the SBC by phone or email.
According to the SBC website, survivors who report allegations will be contacted by an advocate.
Additional resources for SBC sexual abuse survivors include:
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What Damages Can You Recover in an SBC Sexual Abuse or Assault Lawsuit?
Being sexually assaulted by a church leader or other trusted person can devastate a survivor. Although nothing can make up for such heinous misconduct, survivors may garner a sense of justice by suing abusers and their enablers in court to seek recovery for their many losses.
You may be eligible to file a lawsuit against an SBC entity or a perpetrator if you are a survivor of sexual abuse committed by any of the following:
- Pastors, including youth pastors
- Ministers
- Church committee members
- Sunday school teachers
- Deacons
- Church volunteers
- Other SBC church members or leaders
Depending on various factors in your case, initiating a civil claim against an SBC church or individual offender may help you recover compensation for any losses you’ve sustained, such as:
- Past, present, and future medical and mental health expenses
- Past and future lost income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish
- Loss of life enjoyment
- Punitive damages
