Providing a balance of empirical research and practical concerns, this book explores the definitions and historical context of spiritual abuse, outlines a process model for the different stages of spiritual abuse and includes strategies for therapists working with survivors of spiritual abuse.

Providing a balance of empirical research and practical concerns, this book explores the definitions and historical context of spiritual abuse, outlines a process model for the different stages of spiritual abuse and includes strategies for therapists working with survivors of spiritual abuse.

A handbook on domestic violence from a spiritual perspective, for clergy, parish nurses, and others. Breaking the Silence contains important, action-oriented information about domestic violence and its pervasiveness in society. Sections include “myths” about domestic violence; a checklist to determine if a relationship is potentially violent; clergy resources for counseling, worship, and congregational outreach; rape; information for youth; and pages that can be customized with local and national contact numbers, e-mail addresses, and websites. Also includes questions for discussion and suggestions for using the book for training or as a youth and adult education tool. This resource is limited to adult abuse, as the subject of child abuse is highly specialized and often includes many more laws and involvement from local agencies that will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

'Authority and rigour ... great generosity and gentleness. The authors diagnose a critical problem in the church and offer practical advice on how to fix it.' Andrew Graystone, theologian, broadcaster and communications consultant ‘Every time he wanted me to do something, he would quote scripture... I couldn’t argue with scripture, it was like arguing with God.’ The term ‘spiritual abuse’ is widely used across the Christian community. But what is it? Sometimes spiritual abuse involves leaders misusing their position, but ministers can also be the victims. Common factors include control through misuse of scripture, claims to divine authority, pressure to conform, and enforced accountability. Individuals may be isolated, and compelled to secrecy and silence. Drawing on a combination of extensive research, individual testimonies, and years of hands-on experience, Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys describe clearly the nature of spiritual abuse, and the best ways of countering it. Recovery is possible. But – how do we prevent spiritual abuse in the first place? What can leaders do to create safer places? Is there a link between theological ideas and harmful behaviours? How can leaders create opportunities for spiritual and emotional flourishing? Dr Lisa Oakley has researched spiritual abuse in the Christian faith in the UK since 2003. Justin Humphreys is chief executive of the safeguarding charity thirtyone: eight.

This book has been honored as a "Finalist" in the "Religion: Christian Inspirational" category. "The book is an eye-opener for people who are unfamiliar with spiritual abuse and its destructive emotional aftermath. Written in very personal terms, Izora's story of perseverance can be used as a blueprint for other victims of abuse." Koran Addo, Journalist One out of six women will experience some kind of abuse in their lifetime. Will it be you, a family member or co-worker? What will you say to help someone break their silence from shame? This book is written to help those who have been abused to find and use their inner voice. And, to realize that they have a purpose in the kingdom of God. Through the pages of this book you will witness the Author's journey to healing from shame, fear and anger.

A handbook on domestic violence from a spiritual perspective, for clergy, parish nurses, and others. A handbook about domestic violence from a spiritual perspective, and the only one of its kind, Breaking the Silence contains important, action-oriented information about domestic violence and its pervasiveness in society. Sections include "myths" about domestic violence; a checklist to determine if a relationship is potentially violent; clergy resources for counseling, worship, and congregational outreach; rape; information for youth; and pages that can be customized with local and national contact numbers, e-mail addresses, and websites. Also includes questions for discussion and suggestions for using the book for training or as a youth and adult education tool. This resource is limited to adult abuse, as the subject of child abuse is highly specialized and often includes many more laws and involvement from local agencies that will vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction.

Spiritual abuse is a widespread—and often misunderstood—issue. Church leaders may not understand how spiritual abuse manifests and spreads; meanwhile, the impact of spiritual abuse can be devastating to victims, damaging their relationships with themselves, the church, and God. In Understanding Spiritual Abuse: What It Is and How to Respond, professor and licensed counselor Karen Roudkovski offers wisdom, clarity, and hope for those seeking to understand the nature of spiritual abuse and how to heal. Based on her extensive research and clinical experience, Roudkovski explains: What spiritual abuse is, how the term arose, and what makes it distinct. Methods for assessing whether spiritual abuse has occurred, including instructions for the Spiritual Abuse Assessment (9781430086970). The tactics of spiritual abusers, including control, grooming, deception, and lack of accountability. The trauma of spiritual abuse, encompassing spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational harm. Suggestions for spiritual abuse recovery for therapists, survivors, and helpers. Recommendations for how churches can establish spiritually safe communities. Roudkovski's Understanding Spiritual Abuse is an essential resource for survivors, church leaders, and mental health professionals. Roudkovski provides a counseling overview of the topic while practically guiding leaders to create safe and supportive environments for victims to recover and rebuild from spiritual abuse and its devastating impact.

The hard truth is that no church or faith-based community is immune to having child abuse happen within its church families. Breaking the Silence will educate you about the realities of child abuse and why many victims blame God for abuse, have a misguided understanding of who He is, and walk away from God and the church. It is time for the church to be educated about child abuse and take a stand to support victims. Child abuse includes physical, sexual, and verbal abuse as well as neglect and living in domestic violence. The majority of child abuse is perpetrated by someone in the victim’s family or someone the victim has a close relationship with. Go into the life of victims and learn how they are impacted their entire life by those who abuse them. The ACE study is an eye-opening reality check of the lasting effects of child abuse on victims. Abuse within the family system keeps most victims quiet. Victims feel alone and isolated. This isolation affects every relationship the victim has, now and in the future, especially their relationship with God. It is time for the faith community to be actively involved in helping victims of child abuse. Child abuse is a crime committed against the very children God has entrusted to us. This is not about protecting the church or maintaining family unity. It is about helping people thrive and live the life God intended for them. This can only happen when the church steps up and is willing to face the reality of the brokenness within many of its church families. There is a desperate, silent cry from millions of victims just waiting for someone to notice them, believe them, and help them heal. Breaking the Silence is written as a call to educate the church, but it is loaded with information anyone will find useful. Everyone needs to know and understand the realities of child abuse. Whether you know it or not, abuse is happening in your town, in your neighborhood, and possibly in your own home. We tend to remain silent about things we do not understand. It is time to break the silence.

What factors contribute to active Christians in ministry leaving their church and becoming exiting statistics? Every year dedicated Christian people leave churches because of spiritual abuse. The stories of people who left their home church because of a negative and hurtful experience paint a picture of a widespread occurrence which beckons consideration by church leaders and church congregants alike. Spiritual abuse, the misuse of spiritual authority to maltreat followers in the Christian Church, is a complex issue. This book shows how people processed their grief after experiencing spiritual abuse in their local church and how they rediscovered spiritual harmony. Their spiritual journey shows how one may grow through this devastating experience. This book offers a thoughtful look at the topic of spiritual recovery from clergy abuse through the eyes of those who have experienced it. It invites church leaders to consider this very real dysfunction in the Church today and aims to demonstrate a path forward to greater freedom in Christ after a season of disillusionment with church leadership.

"A beacon of truth and wisdom for the abused and a help in their healing." --Scot McKnight and Laura Barringer, authors of A Church Called Tov "Reading this book . . . will change you forever, for the better." --Rachael Denhollander, speaker, victim advocate, and author of What Is a Girl Worth? "Sincerely thoughtful, incredibly practical, and truly compassionate book on abusive systems and the consequences of cover-ups." --Christina Edmondson, PhD, cohost of Truth's Table podcast "Am I the only one who sees this--am I just imagining things? Is something wrong with me . . . or could this be abuse?" Maybe you don't know for sure: all you know is something feels off when you think about a certain relationship or interaction with an institution or organization. You feel alone and confused--but calling it "abuse" feels extreme and unsettling, a label for what happens to other people but not you. Yet you can't shake the feeling: something's not right. In his debut book, researcher and advocate Wade Mullen introduces us to the groundbreaking world of impression management--the strategies that individuals and organizations utilize to gain power and cover up their wrongdoings. Mullen reveals a pattern that accompanies many types of abuse, almost as if abusers are somehow reading from the same playbook. If we can learn to decode these evil methods--if we can learn the language of abuse--we can help stop the cycle and make abusers less effective at accomplishing destruction in our lives. Something's Not Right will help you to identify and describe tactics that were previously unidentifiable and indescribable, and give you the language you need to move toward freedom and create a safer future for yourself and others.