Donna Nyadete facilitating a SASA! Faith session with women in church leadership in Harare

By Donna Nyadete
May 22 2025 – I was researching the role of the church in addressing contemporary issues such as gender-based violence, climate change, and social justice when I came across the #ChurchToo movement—and I got really excited. Not because the stories were easy to read (they weren’t), but because this movement was a bold, necessary conversation that faith communities could no longer ignore.

 

Understanding #MeToo and #ChurchToo

In 2017, the #MeToo movement exploded on social media, shedding light on the widespread reality of sexual harassment and abuse across various industries. What started as a conversation about workplace misconduct quickly evolved into a global reckoning, as survivors from all walks of life began sharing their stories.

Inspired by #MeToo, the #ChurchToo movement emerged as survivors began to share their experiences of abuse within religious spaces. Some had suffered at the hands of clergy or church leaders. Others had been dismissed, shamed, or told to “pray about it” when they sought help

The movement forced institutions—corporations, entertainment industries, governments—to confront uncomfortable truths about power, silence, and complicity.

Soon, faith communities began to ask: what about the church?

The church has long been seen as a place of refuge, a sanctuary for the weary and wounded. Yet, for many survivors of sexual violence, it has been anything but safe. Instead of finding support, many survivors were met with silence, blame, or even the protection of their abusers.

Inspired by #MeToo, the #ChurchToo movement emerged as survivors began to share their experiences of abuse within religious spaces. Some had suffered at the hands of clergy or church leaders. Others had been dismissed, shamed, or told to “pray about it” when they sought help. Many had been taught that submission and silence were godly responses, even in the face of harm.

 

What Made #ChurchToo Unique?

While #MeToo exposed abuse in secular spaces, #ChurchToo was distinct because it confronted the deep moral and spiritual betrayal that occurs when abuse happens within faith communities. Religious institutions are built on trust, authority, and sacred teachings. When these are manipulated to justify or conceal abuse, the damage is not just physical or emotional—it is spiritual.

The movement forced churches to grapple with difficult questions:

• Why had so many cases of abuse been covered up?
• How had misinterpretations of scripture contributed to silence and victim-blaming?
• What structures needed to change to ensure that churches became places of safety, not harm?

One of the most significant outcomes of #ChurchToo was the exposure of systemic cover-ups in high-profile religious institutions. Investigations revealed patterns of churches protecting abusers rather than survivors, prioritizing reputation over justice. This led to increased calls for accountability, transparency, and survivor-centred approaches to handling abuse allegations.

 

The Positive Outcomes of #ChurchToo

Though painful, the movement has led to tangible changes in many faith communities:

• Survivors Found Their Voices: Many who had been silent for years felt empowered to share their stories, knowing they were not alone. This broke the isolation that often surrounds abuse.
• Churches Began to Take Accountability: Some denominations implemented stricter policies for handling abuse cases, ensuring that allegations were taken seriously and not dismissed under the guise of “forgiveness.”
• Harmful Theologies Were Challenged: The movement prompted deeper theological reflection on teachings that have enabled abuse—such as distorted views on submission, purity culture, and male headship. More pastors began re-examining how scripture is taught, ensuring that messages of justice, dignity, and equality are at the forefront.
• Women’s Leadership Was Amplified: Recognizing that silencing women had contributed to a culture of impunity, many churches made efforts to include more women in leadership, decision-making, and pastoral care roles.

 

The Church as Part of the Problem—And the Solution

For the past six years, I’ve worked with churches through SASA! Faith, helping them prevent GBV from a faith perspective. And I’ve seen both sides of this issue. On one hand, churches can be places of healing, community, and radical transformation. On the other, they have often been complicit—whether through silence, harmful teachings, or outright cover-ups.

But here’s the truth: the church doesn’t have to be part of the problem. It can be part of the solution. And in many places, we’re already seeing that happen.

 

Change Starts in Local Communities

In our work with SASA! Faith, we’ve seen firsthand how churches can move from passive bystanders to active responders. I remember one pastor who, after engaging with the program, realized that his past sermons had unintentionally discouraged women from speaking out about abuse. He made a commitment to preach differently, to listen more, and to ensure that his church became a place of refuge, not a place of shame.

In another community, women who once felt invisible in church decision-making are now leading conversations on governance, shaping policies that prioritize safety and inclusion. Men, too, are engaging—not just as allies, but as co-labourers in the fight against GBV.

Building on this momentum, we also implemented the Speak Out Campaign in collaboration with the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD). This advocacy initiative sought to normalize conversations on GBV within faith spaces, encouraging church leaders and congregants to break the silence and address the issue openly. Through sermons, discussions, and media engagements, the campaign challenged harmful beliefs that perpetuate violence and promoted a theology that upholds the dignity and safety of all people. The response was powerful—many faith leaders who had previously avoided the topic began speaking out, survivors felt heard, and churches started taking concrete steps toward becoming safer spaces. Check here

 

A Necessary Discomfort

The #ChurchToo movement has been uncomfortable for many faith communities, but that discomfort is necessary. It forces us to ask hard questions:

• Are we truly reflecting Christ’s love in how we respond to survivors?
• Are we willing to challenge traditions that have allowed abuse to go unchecked?
• Do we see women as equal partners in the life and leadership of the church?

There is still so much work to do, but we cannot afford to ignore this moment. The modern church has an opportunity—no, a responsibility—to be a leader in ending GBV. That starts with listening. It starts with believing survivors. And it starts with creating communities where justice, healing, and dignity are not just preached but practiced.

I’d love to hear from others doing this work. How has your faith community responded to #ChurchToo? What changes have you seen—or what challenges remain? Let’s keep the conversation going.

 

Donna Nyadete is a development practitioner specializing in the intersection of gender and faith