Abuse

From childhood sexual victimization to domestic violence to workplace harassment, abuse damages countless lives. The abused must grapple with the trauma they’ve endured and its impact on their mental, emotional, and spiritual well-being. Those who care about abuse victims (their family members, friends, spouses, coworkers) must wrestle with how to best care for and support their loved ones as they seek long-term healing. Abuse scandals have also impacted nearly every area of church life and ministry. Catholic churches have been scandalized to learn of priests’ abuse of young children. Abuse allegations have shaken ministries and megachurches, schools for missionaries’ children, and marriages between committed Christians. Victims seek justice, restitution, forgiveness, and healing. Judicial action and apologies by perpetrators can help victims begin to heal, as can sharing their stories to raise public awareness and prevent such abuses in the future.