On Tuesday we shared why a paper on sexual harassment, abuse, and assault on the field is necessary. Today we’ll unpack what you can expect from it. This paper may not be easy to read quickly. 

It is rooted in data, but it is also rooted in lived experience. It holds together research and reality, analysis and anguish. Our hope is that readers will come away not only more informed, but more prepared to respond with clarity, courage, and care.

You can expect data.

This paper presents survey findings that help illuminate what cross-cultural workers are facing related to sexual harassment, abuse, and assault. We offer definitions, patterns, themes, and areas of concern that deserve attention, not because they are abstract problems, but because they are shaping real lives and real communities.

You can expect discomfort.

The scope of sexual harassment, abuse, and assault is vast and wide. Many respondents described experiences that were confusing, violating, and wounding. This paper does not sensationalize that pain, but it does not look away from it. It may also bring to mind situations you haven’t thought of in years.

You can expect emotional honesty.

Readers may feel anger. Sadness. Disbelief. Grief. These are appropriate responses. Sexual harm is not a theoretical issue, it is personal, systemic, and devastating. Part of the work of addressing it is allowing ourselves to name what is wrong.

You can expect a central tension we cannot ignore.

This is the crux: sexual harassment, abuse, and assault are occurring with a frequency that many would not expect, in contexts where people often feel least able to speak. The silence surrounding these experiences has allowed harm to persist. This paper exists because that silence must be broken.

You can expect ideas for how to respond.”

While the content is sobering, this paper is not meant to leave readers in despair or feeling helpless. We include practical suggestions for a wide range of people, recognizing that preventing and responding to sexual harassment, abuse, and assault is a shared responsibility. You will find guidance for cross-cultural workers, members of ministry teams, sending organizations, sending churches, friends or family members of cross-cultural workers, and those carrying undisclosed experiences of harassment, abuse, or assault.

You can expect additional resources!

Many of the additional resources are still being developed, but here’s some of how we plan to support and resource you. The paper includes graphics that we will make available for you to download. Additionally, we’ll make an infographic for you to share the results with supporters, an infographic specifically for organizations, a discussion guide for the paper, a portfolio of sexual harassment policies, and workshops related to the survey data. 

Wherever you find yourself in the pages as you read the paper, our hope is that you will not only feel the weight of the issue, but see a way forward. One of our mantras has been, “This isn’t how it’s supposed to be, so let’s talk about it, and then let’s do something about sexual harassment, abuse, and assault.” We’re excited for you to read the paper.

 As a reminder, next Thursday, February 26th, we will publish the extensive results. On Tuesday  we’ll share ideas for how you can consume the paper.

Thanks for being here and praying for the writing and now releasing it into the world. Thanks be to God that we can have these conversations!

Amy, Stacey, and Danny