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Enabling Faith-based Organizations to Address Sexual Violence in Schools: A Case Study from the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract Acts of sexual violence are committed against millions of children worldwide and there is an imperative to identify effective strategies to address the issue. Faith-based organizations and the education sector are increasingly recognized as having important roles to play and there is a need to identify effective means of enabling schools run by faith-based organizations to prevent violence. This paper documents a promising approach taken by the Baptist Community in the Centre of Africa (CBCA), in Eastern Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where sexual violence is widespread. CBCA staff considered issues of sexual violence and its prevention in the church's schools employing an approach in which (1) scripture was used to initiate discussion, (2) dynamics of power were explored, (3) issues of justice were addressed, and (4) next steps were decided. The approach enabled a range of deeply held cultural attitudes to be named, considered and critiqued and led quickly to the implementation of interventions addressing sexual violence in the church's parishes and schools. If used by faith-based organizations across Africa, the impact of such approaches could be considerable, complementing the activities of governments, agencies and other organizations to address this evil.