Should Christians Report Abuse?

I had an entirely different blog planned this week, but two things led me to write this one instead: A private case, which will remain undisclosed, and a very public case, that of Seth Michael Day and Heather Marie Day being arrested. (https://johnsontx.mugshots.zone/day-seth-michael-mugshot-09-25-2026/; https://johnsontx.mugshots.zone/day-heather-marie-mugshot-09-24-2026/)

The latter has shocked the world and specifically the Adventist Church, where both were well known and loved. I know Heather personally, having interacted with her on social media, read two of her books, received her weekly email devotional, and spoken alongside her at a church event. A dear friend and student of hers from her days of teaching at Andrews University introduced us years ago and I found her friendly, personable, and intelligent. She writes beautifully of her love for God and His Word.

Southwestern Adventist University, where Seth Day served on the faculty, has issued a statement that he has been put on leave and that no SWAU students or employees were involved: (https://www.facebook.com/SouthwesternAU).

All we know thus far is that both were booked on a charge of injury to a child, elderly or disabled individual with intent to cause bodily injury, and Seth Day was charged with sexual assault of a child. Remember, our legal system believes that a person is innocent until proven guilty. This is a great time to exercise our ability to suspend judgment and say, “I don’t know.”

The prevailing emotion among us is shock. This case has come out of the blue. Could it be that someone along the way failed to report suspected abuse? I don’t know. Hopefully, we will find out.

A random fact is that Texas Penal Codes 38.171 and 22.04 say failing to report can be a crime. (https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?tab=1&code=PE&chapter=PE.38&artSec=38.171; https://statutes.capitol.texas.gov/?tab=1&code=PE&chapter=PE.22&artSec=22.04)

I don’t know that failure to report is involved here, but I thought this crisis would be as teachable a time as any to review how important it is to take allegations of abuse seriously. I want to identify three common objections and respond to each. I’d summarize them as fear, pity, and uncertainty.

Fear

The most common fear stems from a misreading of 1 Corinthians 6:1-7:

Dare any of you, having a matter against another, go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world will be judged by you, are you unworthy to judge the smallest matters? Do you not know that we shall judge angels? How much more, things that pertain to this life? . . . But brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers! Now therefore, it is already an utter failure for you that you go to law against one another. Why do you not rather accept wrong? Why do you not rather let yourselves be cheated?

Notice that this passage seems to contradict Romans 13:1-2, which states that we should “submit to governing authorities,” and that, “whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God.” In interpreting the Bible, we must bring ALL it has to say about a matter to the table.

To harmonize these passages, I must conclude that the first passage refers to frivolous lawsuits, (Notice “the smallest matters” and “let yourselves be cheated.”) offences that could be adjudicated by church leaders, and the second refers to crimes. When obedience to God becomes a crime, we must obey God rather than men, but when it is not a crime, we obey the state. Abuse laws serve the greater good of society. We must abide by them.

Another common fear is retaliation from the abuser. For this reason, those reporting should take measures to protect themselves. This may include documenting one’s testimony, hiring a lawyer, restraining orders, or even hiding. In some cases, the abuser buffalos the reporter into silence. I once received a very aggressive letter threatening lawsuit if I did not “cease and desist” from reporting abuse. I did not “cease and desist.” I obeyed God rather than men, and he never acted on his threats. But another person involved did pander to his demands. I wonder if this person regrets his lack of courage.

Pity

More than once I’ve been told I’ll ruin someone’s life if I report. In some cases, the guilt of the accused was beyond question. This is nothing less than selective empathy. Two things should be kept in mind. One, the abuser “ruined his life,” not the reporter. Additionally, should not our first and foremost sympathies belong to the victim? Social psychologists will attest to the fact that humans tend to believe and support the most powerful figures in a given group, and that the weaker members can be discarded without much perceived loss.

Let me say clearly that following these urges could not more thoroughly and brazenly contradict the character of a God of love and justice. Jesus ignored kings and picked up wounded birds. He confronted religious leaders and healed harlots. Stop with this social hierarchy default nonsense!

Uncertainty

The third reason people don’t report is uncertainty. “I don’t know if ____ is really guilty!” they say, fearing to be on the wrong side of a false accusation.

I resonate the most with this objection. I’ve been falsely accused of various things; to falsely accuse another makes me tremble. I feel that in the abuse response work I do, I must bat 1000. It feels like flying a plane or brain surgery—I can’t make a mistake. This is why our “innocent until proven guilty” principle exists. The symptomatic response to being falsely accused resembles the PTSD victims themselves experience. I call it “reputational abuse” to falsely or carelessly charge someone.

I wish I could remove all the risk, but here are a few things to bear in mind:

One, the Bible’s oft-repeated evidentiary standard, imitated in civilized societies, is “two or three witnesses” (Deut 19:15, 17:6, Matthew 18:16, 2 Cor 13:1). If more than one person reports the same person, it must be taken ten times as seriously, especially if the reporters did not influence one another. I once had a funny feeling about a man’s relationship with a child, then later received a report that the same man had abused another child, and then a third. I was as sure as a person could be, and I did all I could to end his career.

Also, witnesses can be texts, emails, or other external supports. In Genesis, Abel’s blood “cried from the ground” (4:10). If you are experiencing abuse or suspected abuse, keep all communications and other evidence in a folder. If you feel the urge to delete, first give that file to a trusted person.

Finally, as a reporter you are offering information, not conviction. It’s not your job to decide guilt or innocence. The church and the state have investigative and executive procedures to determine that. Do what the Bible commands. Bear witness to the truth. This does not mean saying, “_______ abused ______.” It means saying, “______ (the reporter) told me ______ (the report).” Too often—especially on social media—we feel we must be judge, jury, and executioner. This burden can overwhelm sensitive souls and embolden the ignorant.

Help Me!

Okay, I’ve done my best to help remove some of the barriers to reporting abuse. Now, you tell me what I missed. I’m very busy this week and could use help fleshing out this issue. Please comment! Respectfully, with good faith, but speak up and be heard.

Also, if you’ve received a report of abuse happening in the Seventh-day Adventist Church, please report at ProjectSafeChurch.org and we will do our best to help. We care about all denominations but feel it is our first duty to end abuse in our own beloved church. We also offer an e-book on church-related abuse called Project Safe Church.

Talk to me and let’s talk to each other!

Go to Project Safe Church

Start an Abuse Report