Christian Leaders Bitterly Divided Over Kavanaugh Sex Assault Allegations, FBI Probe

By Stoyan Zaimov, Christian Post Reporter Monday, October 01, 2018

4. Jim Wallis, Jenna Barnett

Jim Wallis, president of Sojourners, holding up a 'Poverty and Justice Bible' at the 'Faithful Filibuster' protest, Washington, D.C., Oct. 10, 2013. — Jim Wallis, president of Sojourners, holding up a "Poverty and Justice Bible" at the "Faithful Filibuster" protest, Washington, D.C., Oct. 10, 2013. | (Photo: Sojourners/Brandon Hook)

Jim Wallis, president and founder of Christian social justice organization Sojourners, along with Jenna Barnett, Women and Girls Campaign coordinator, said that many victims can identify with Ford's account.

"On Thursday Dr. Christine Blasey Ford recounted her experience of sexual assault before a committee comprising mostly older white men. Women and other victims of abuse held their collective breath. The details were familiar. The resulting trauma — anxiety, fear of flying, claustrophobia — resonated. Survivors listened — and they recalled their worst experiences," Wallis and Barnett wrote on Thursday following the hearing.

"How will the church step up? We all want our churches to be a safe space for survivors to be heard and to heal. But a recent survey shows us that while 90 percent of pastors encounter domestic and sexual violence through their work, only 50 percent believe they have sufficient training to address it. We want to change that," they added.

While they did not directly offer an opinion on whether Kavanaugh should be confirmed, they insisted that every pastor "should be equipped to address domestic and sexual violence in their ministry."

"People of faith and pastors need to step up to let survivors in their communities know they are heard, they are believed, and they are supported."