What Christians can do about sexual abuse in America’s prisons

Sexual abuse in American prisons is a deeply disturbing issue that continues to fester within the correctional system, despite the enactment of the Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) in 2003. As followers of Christ, we are called to care for the marginalized and oppressed, and this includes our brothers and sisters behind bars.

This article examines the severity of the problem, the factors contributing to its persistence, and the ways in which Christians can engage in solutions grounded in our faith and God’s love.

Join us at the free SBC week event:

Save this date on your SBC calendars!

The ERLC, in cooperation with the Unify Project, is hosting an event on racial unity called Simple Steps to Unity: Walking Together Toward a Better Future on Monday, June 12 at 9pm CT.

Register here to reserve your free ticket!

This Week in Washington, D.C.

On Thursday, the most recent attempt to resurrect the harmful Equal Rights Amendment was defeated by a vote of 51-47 in the U.S. Senate.

This defeat of the Equal Rights Amendment should be the final nail in the coffin for efforts to resurrect this harmful amendment. As Southern Baptists, we believe that all people—that all women—are made in the image of God. Each woman possesses immeasurable worth, dignity, and value.

We desire to see a world where women have the freedom to thrive in whatever way God has uniquely called them. But the ERA does not achieve those goals. Rather, it pushes us further away from them. In the name of equality, the ERA erases the spaces where women have thrived and achieved remarkable things. It would also undermine any restrictions on abortion and strip away vital conscience protections. Women, including those in the womb, deserve better than the ERA. Now, after 50 years of attempts to shoehorn the ERA into the Constitution, it is time to move on and support real policies that empower women, value life, and protect religious liberty.

You can read more about the harms of the ERA and the ERLC’s advocacy against it here.

Featured Podcasts

On this week's ERLC Podcast episode, Lindsay Nicolet talks with Palmer Williams, ERLC senior policy advisor, to discuss upcoming events in the Supreme Court, future hopes for the SBC, and the realities of the political realm.

From The Public Square

North Dakota governor signs 6-week abortion ban into law
Associated Press

“This bill clarifies and refines existing state law ... and reaffirms North Dakota as a pro-life state,” Burgum, a Republican, said in a statement. The law, one of the strictest in the country, takes effect immediately.

House Republicans pass bill restricting transgender athletes from women’s sports
Politico

House Republicans approved their measure to restrict transgender students from playing on women’s sports teams on a 219-203 vote Thursday morning. The legislation — H.R. 734 (118) — is a key part of the GOP’s education agenda and mirrors more than 20 laws that have been adopted in states across the country.

Supreme Court maintains abortion pill access for now as legal fight continues
Politico

Access to a widely used abortion pill will remain at current levels for the time being, the Supreme Court ruled Friday in a decision staving off sweeping restrictions ordered by lower courts

Florida expands ban on sexual orientation and gender identity teachings through high school
Politico

Under the updated rule expanding the legislation panned as “Don’t Say Gay” by critics, teachers run the risk of losing their educator credentials for leading instruction on those topics to students through 12th grade instead of strictly kindergarten through grade 3.

What You Need to Read

Rachel Hickle with How Southeastern's prison program points to the God of second chances

In less than two months, 13 students in Nashville, North Carolina, will don caps and gowns, receive diplomas, and embark on a new season as college graduates. However, unlike many others graduating this spring, their regalia will be worn over uniforms issued by the North Carolina Department of Adult Corrections, the stage erected in a prison gym, and the new season will take place within the confines of the state correctional system.

Soon after they walk across the stage, they will be deployed in teams to prisons across the state as part of the North Carolina Field Minister Program (NCFMP).

Hannah Daniel with A history of presidential proclamations and Second Chance Month

On March 31, President Biden declared April to be Second Chance Month. In his proclamation, Biden said that Second Chance Month is a time for us to “reaffirm the importance of helping people who were formerly incarcerated reenter society. It is critical that our criminal and juvenile justice systems provide meaningful opportunities for rehabilitation and redemption.

Heather Rice-Minus with Why collateral consequences hurt many with criminal records

People can flourish when needless barriers are eliminated. Studies even show that men and women with a criminal record could contribute some $78 billion more to the economy if more restrictions were lifted. People with criminal records have proven to be loyal, hardworking employees, motivated to make the most of their fresh start. And opportunities to start over feel like a gift to people who seek to live out their second chance.