Q&A: "Why isn't VOM writing about _______?"

One of the purposes VOM hopes to accomplish on the Persecution Blog is to answer common questions our staff members hear from readers and others around the United States. In today’s post we’ll address one of the most common:

QUESTION: “I heard about ______ being persecuted in _________. Why isn’t VOM talking about her?”

We asked the leader of our international work to help address this question. Here’s his response:

First, it’s important to note that VOM doesn’t claim that our newsletter or website represents an exhaustive record of every incident of persecution that occurs in every hostile and restricted nation. VOM is actively working in more than 60 nations, serving thousands of Christians in these nations. 

Sometimes in our culture, the media publicize “high-profile” persecution cases that “everyone” is talking about. There are occasions when VOM chooses not to talk about these high-profile cases, and there is always a good reason. 

There are seven main reasons why VOM might choose not to publicize a persecution case. But please note that VOM’s decision not to publicize a case does not necessarily mean there is something negative associated with a person or situation. 

Here are the reasons VOM may not publicize a particular persecution case (listed from most common to least common): 

1. We cannot share everything. Sometimes it really is just that simple. For example, the first newsletter feature I worked on after joining VOM was about India. We shared the stories of three persecuted Christians in that feature article. But guess how many we had to choose from? Our partners had documented over 220 persecution events in India that year. Three of those stories made it into our newsletter, and the other 217+ were a statistic. Space is very limited in our newsletter.
2. We do not have permission. We never share information about an individual or situation without the permission of the individual, their family members or their church or ministry leaders (in fact, when possible we gain permission from all three before sharing a story).
3. Publicity could harm or endanger someone. VOM will never share information about a case if we believe doing so would make things worse for the individuals involved — even if we have their permission to share, and even if they insist that we publicize the information. In other words, we will not expose someone to additional danger, even if they insist we do so.
4. We are unable to verify details of the individual’s claims. Often, we delay sharing information, or never share it, because we cannot confirm the facts of a case; we simply don’t know whether it’s completely true. VOM is very liberal when choosing whom to help in emergency situations. But in all situations, we are very conservative about what we report. Intentionally, we are quick to help and slow to report as we investigate all of the facts of the situation.
5. We have already researched the individual’s claims, with a negative result. Unfortunately, we sometimes receive reports of persecution that turn out to be exaggerations or even lies. I will always remember going to a village in South Asia that was reportedly burned down in a persecution attack (animists against Christians). However, after we sent workers to investigate, we learned that the huts were burned by a cooking accident and that most of the burned huts belonged to animists. Unfortunately, we’ve even encountered elaborate, fake persecution cases that were designed to gain fame or money. VOM’s field staff and contacts are exceptionally careful in verification of reports, and we do occasionally uncover situations like this. However, we do not publicize our findings in these cases. VOM’s role is to help the persecuted church, not to publicly debunk people’s claims or argue and dispute with other ministries’ findings.
6. We are unable to help. VOM wants to make sure we are helping those whose stories we publish. We never want to be viewed as “exploiting” situations by telling the stories and not assisting. Therefore, we sometimes decline to publicize a case because we are unable to help; instead, we allow the organizations that are helping to talk about the situation. Sometimes we are unable to help because we lack capability in an area, and sometimes we are unable to help because we do not have a basis of trust with the individual or his/her leaders. In some cases, we are unwilling to provide the kind of assistance the individual desires (for instance, immigration requests). We will not publicize these cases when, from the perspective of the individual involved, there is a need we are not meeting.
7. There is something wrong. Sometimes the persecution story is true, but there is a severe problem with the person’s character, actions or decisions. It is not our calling to make public statements in cases like this; VOM simply chooses not to provide help or publicize the case.

VOM works in restricted and hostile nations where details about the work and the workers must be kept in confidence. As an organization, we cannot always publicly explain what we know, how we know it or why decisions were made or actions were taken.

These decisions are not made in a vacuum, and they are not made lightly or without fervent prayer for wisdom. Each significant case is discussed—sometimes vigorously—internally among VOM staff members as well as externally with national contacts and in-country church leaders. All VOM staff are accountable through our leadership structure here at VOM and to VOM’s board of directors.

Sometimes VOM is questioned and even criticized by those who do not have access to complete information or simply do not get their way. We hope that this explanation builds an even stronger basis of trust—trust that VOM makes these difficult decisions prayerfully and wisely. 

VOM is the Lord’s ministry, and our staff members intend only to follow Him and represent His Body in a way that brings Him glory.

Do you have a question about VOM's work or the persecuted church? Please ask your question in the comments to this post, or email thevoice[at]vom-usa.org.