Resources to Help Prevent Child Abuse in Children’s Ministry

April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Here are some free resources to help you and your volunteers minister to kids with trauma.

In John 10:1-21, Jesus calls himself the good shepherd who lays down his life for his sheep.

In Bible times, a sheepfold was often made of stone walls. Since there was only one door, at night, the shepherd himself would sit or lie down and keep watch. Jesus is our good shepherd, who lays down his life for us and the kids we care for.

As children’s ministry leaders, Jesus invites us to join his work. We help to shepherd and protect his kids. That means we care for them, and we do everything we can to protect them from harm. We want our sheepfold to be a safe place where kids don’t have to be afraid. Rather, they can courageously grow to love and follow Jesus, their good shepherd.

The sheepfold itself was designed in a proactive way, with each rock placed to keep the sheep safe and secure. And there’s a reason to design the sheepfold with only one door—so shepherds could meet an enemy head on.

Likewise, as a children’s ministry leader, it’s important to equip yourself so you can proactively prepare to shepherd and serve kids who’ve suffered from abuse.

Not sure where to start? We’ve collected some articles and information to educate and help you shepherd children well, identify abuse, prevent abuse from happening, and care for children who’ve been through traumatic and abusive experiences.

Tips for Identifying Abuse

Articles to help you see and stop abuse.

4 Types of Child Abuse and How to Spot Them

Walking Wounded: How to Recognize When Kids Are in Crisis

What You Need to Know About Spotting and Stopping Child Sex Abuse

Information about Safety Policies and Background Checks

Articles to help you create policies and procedures to safeguard your children’s ministry.

Safety First: Why You Absolutely Can’t Skip Background Checks

7 Safety Tips to Strengthen Your Children’s Ministry This Year

Ministering to Kids in Crisis

Articles to help you share Jesus’ love with children who experience trauma.

Ministering to Kids in Crisis When You Don’t Have a Counseling Degree

How to Minister to Children Whose Family Is in Crisis

Training Videos

Group extends permission to churches to show these videos to your children’s ministry workers for training purposes. These videos are excerpted from the Safe & Secure Church Kit.