In an update released Dec. 20 the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Sexual Abuse Task Force (SATF) stated that it has made “significant progress” and the focus of the investigation has shifted to the collection and review of relevant documents related to the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) Executive Committee (EC), particularly those in electronic form.
While collecting documents will continue as reported in the November update, the review of information relevant to the investigation will include the application of search terms to electronic records and reviewing the results of those searches.
In addition, the task force said it has continued to conduct interviews with survivors, witnesses and current and former EC members and staff.
Sexual abuse survivors will not be directly contacted by the task force. Those wishing to give their story can do so through the Guidepost website or by emailing [email protected].
SBC president Ed Litton, who chairs the Committee on Cooperation, has been appointed by the committee as their Guidepost liaison. So far, stated the announcement, Litton “has provided prompt and effective support for the investigation” at Guidepost’s request.
The task force also reported that it has engaged a survivor care liaison “to provide support to survivors, if needed, after they participate in the Guidepost investigation.” Those areas of support include answering further questions and managing expectations regarding the investigation and offering counseling services as needed. The liaison will also provide feedback from survivors to the investigative team as authorized by the survivor.
The independent investigation partners the task force with Guidepost Solutions to see if there were any claims of sexual abuse mismanaged by the Executive Committee from Jan. 1, 2000, through June 14, 2021, as authorized by SBC messengers at last June’s annual meeting. The results are to be reported 30 days prior to the 2022 annual gathering, held in Anaheim, California, June 14-15.
(EDITOR’S NOTE – Scott Barkley is national correspondent for Baptist Press.)
