A former Tulsa minister is now accused of crimes against children.Vincent Melvin Brookfield, 44, is charged with seven counts of child sex abuse.
The abuse allegedly started in 2003 with the latest accusation happing last year.
FOX23’s Abbie Alford reports on man who suspected of abusing a girl for over a number of years.
Reverend Brookfield, a former pastor at Tulsa’s New Hope Baptist Church is accused of sexually abusing a girl beginning when she was as young as seven years old.
Police say she is not a church member.
"To our knowledge there are not victims at the church. Obviously we can't say there are no other victims but to our knowledge there are no other victims,” says Tulsa Police Sex Crimes Sergeant Mark Mears.
The church’s website no longer lists Brookfield as a leader but previous searches show he was the pastor of Evangelism and Outreach.
The abuse allegedly started in 2003 and ended a year later. Then when she was 11 Brookfield us suspected of abusing her again until she was fourteen. Investigators say she finally was able to share a painful secret.
Nationally known child abuse expert, Sharon Doty, says all parents should be watchful.
"You don't have to be aggressive in questioning your children, you don't have to be or assertive in questioning of your children, what you have to be is loving, compassionate and relentless,” says Doty.
She is the author of “Evil in Our Midst: Protecting Children from Sexual Predators” and director of Empowering Adults--Protecting Children.
Doty says don’t take ‘no’ as a final answer.
“’That looks kind of scary has anyone done that to you that was scary?’” says Doty.
Let the child know he or she is not the only who experiences scary or uncomfortable things.
"’Wow, I can't imagine that you have gone all this time, you are eight years old, I can't imagine you grew up and nobody ever scared you at all. Boy me, I got scared yesterday and when….," recommends Doty. "They get the feeling and permission to speak up because they get to know that you are not going to be upset with them when something happens."
As in the case of Vincent Brookfield and many others accused of abusing children, the alleged victims often remain silent out of fear or confused feelings and emotions for years. Doty says kids need to know that when they speak out they’ll be believed and be protected.
"Then say I am going to make sure that someone talks to you to make this better,” says Doty.
The Church did not return FOX23 News’ call for comment. Brookfield is also charged on two counts of violating protective orders.
His bond is set at $399, 991.
Doty says you should also have a plan for your kids when faced with having this tough conversation.
To learn more on preparing yourself, the signs of child abuse, and other questions read Doty’s book “Evil in Our Midst: Protecting Children from Sexual Predators” or visit the Empowering Adults--Protecting Children website.
