At IMB, we believe that all people are made in the image of God, and all people deserve our unrelenting commitment to protection and compassionate care. We take the issue of sexual assault and abuse seriously and have taken significant steps to address this issue in our organization.
We work closely with third-party experts to review our policies and procedures and to help us appropriately investigate allegations. We continuously review and update our prevention and response policies and processes as needed.
The release of our denomination’s Sexual Abuse Task Force report on Sunday, May 22, 2022, marks an opportunity for our denominational family to lament the pain and devastation of abuse. Scripture teaches us to “weep with those who weep” (Romans 12:15) and to “bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ” (Galatians 6:2).
Within the Task Force report, Guidepost has made recommendations to the denomination’s executive committee that will help the overall denomination forge a pathway forward to best practices in abuse prevention and response. We provide the following information and links regarding our organization’s posture to the report, and to abuse and response issues addressed in the report.
The seriousness of the work regarding the prevention of child abuse and sexual harassment (including sexual assault) is what prompts our organization to require every employee, both overseas and stateside, to complete comprehensive training on these topics each April. Since our organization’s external examination on these topics in 2018–2019, the value of this work has undergirded our addition of the role of IMB’s Prevention and Response Administrator, and Somer Nowak provides compassionate, trauma-informed care to each victim. If you have information about a personal situation and would like to connect with Somer directly, please email her at snowak@imb.org.
Let me remind you that we encourage anyone who has been a victim of abuse by our organization’s personnel or others affiliated with our organization to report it to authorities. In addition, we invite any victims to contact us on our confidential hotline at (855) 420-0003 or email advocate@imb.org so that we can provide compassionate care to that victim and take appropriate steps to ensure the safety of others.
We commit to continuing our prayers for the victims of child abuse and sexual harassment (including sexual assault), and we continue our commitment to diligently demand the highest standards to respond to incidents of child abuse and sexual harassment (including sexual assault), including seeking trauma-informed care for victims.
— IMB President Paul Chitwood
If anyone has personally experienced or observed abuse, child abuse/sexual abuse or sexual harassment among IMB personnel, you can make a report as a victim, friend or family member. It is our policy to investigate all cases regardless of when they occurred, and to encourage victims to report their cases to the authorities.
See our help page for all the available options to make a report.
Send Relief offers $4 million to fund EC sexual abuse response, survivor care fund
Jun 9, 2022
Send Relief announced its intent June 8 to give $3 million to fund the proposed Sexual Abuse Task Force (SATF) recommendations for sexual abuse reform, and an additional $1 million to establish a survivor care fund to provide trauma care for survivors and trauma training for pastors. …
First-Person: Abuse response ‘absolutely necessary’ to model Christ-like compassion
Jun 2, 2022
Jesus prioritizes children and their care. We see this in verses like Matthew 19:14, where Jesus says, “Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven,” and Matthew 18:6 …
IMB names Somer Nowak as prevention and response administrator
Feb 11, 2020
IMB has selected Somer Nowak to fill the newly created position of prevention and response administrator for the 175-year-old entity. In this role, Nowak will oversee and manage prevention and response efforts for child abuse, sexual harassment and assault, and domestic violence. …
Frequently Asked Questions about Examination Update
May 22, 2019
Frequently asked questions and answers regarding an external examination of IMB's past handling of allegations of abuse and of IMB policies and practices. …
FAQ: How can I report abuse, child abuse/sexual abuse or sexual harassment?
Oct 14, 2020
There are several ways you can make a report of abuse, child abuse/sexual abuse or sexual harassment. …
IMB Response to External Examination
May 22, 2019
A statement by IMB President Paul Chitwood in response to a statement from external examiners presented to IMB trustees on May 22, 2019. …
IMB pledges to lead SBC in ‘best practices’ in abuse prevention and response
May 22, 2019
IMB heard recommendations from the external examination of the handling of allegations of abuse and harassment, and responded with an apology to victims. …
Examination Update
May 22, 2019
A statement by Gray Plant Mooty providing a summary of work conducted in an external examination of IMB, and GPM’s recommendations to IMB to date. …
IMB Statement on Child Abuse and Sexual Harassment
Jun 19, 2018
The IMB is committed to protect its personnel and their families and those who interact with its personnel and their families, and to effectively and appropriately respond when there is an allegation of child abuse or sexual harassment …
IMB’s Commitment to Zero Tolerance for Child Abuse and Sexual Harassment
Jun 19, 2018
The IMB is committed to zero tolerance for child abuse and sexual harassment among our personnel. Further, the IMB is committed to communicating clearly and cooperating with our partners to guard against child abuse and sexual harassment. …