Evangelicals Now
<< July 2003 >>

Insight into anguish

False charges

INSIGHT INTO ANGUISH
By Melanie Metcalfe
Day One. 288 pages. £8.99
ISBN 1 903087 40 6

Sadly, this book is a gripping page-turner. This is not because it is incredibly well-written or has a cleverly-devised plot, but because the story that unfolds as the pages are turned is potentially horribly relevant to anyone involved in church youth work.

The story is told by the wife of youth leader Nick Metcalfe (pseudonyms are used throughout the book). Accused of raping and sexually assaulting three members of his youth group some eight or nine years previously and arrested from his family home early one morning, there begins a harrowing tale of how he and his family embark on living with these serious charges and riding the legal roller-coaster ride to proving his innocence.

The narrative is thought-provoking and raises questions about the justice system, its fairness, accuracy and cost for defendants. It also underlines the need for pastoral care in church settings for both victims and alleged abusers and their families. This tale is one of faith in God in the midst of fear and heartache, and the true support that prayer and Christian love and fellowship provide.

Many lessons should be learnt from this book. Well-intentioned but naive conduct is no longer acceptable in church youth work. Good practice will protect youth leaders and members alike, and will guard against the nightmare outlined here.
Insight into Anguish provides a good read. and is recommended for all involved in church youth work, though with a strong caveat. Though this man was totally innocent, actual sexual abuse does occur in churches. Church workers have abused many children. This fact should never be lost sight of when reading this book, and care should be taken to treat all allegations of abuse seriously. As Christians seeking to share God's love and reflect his glory, we have an obligation to listen and deal with all allegations caringly and appropriately.
This book contains many helpful insights on the subject of child protection within churches, and the need for both good pastoral care and good policies to be in place when such issues arise in your church!

Ruth Fromow, Child Protection Officer,
Chertsey Street Baptist Church, Guildford