“To silence the voices of victims and cover up their pain is to dehumanize them and do violence against their souls, often in the name of God”

Expert lawyer Robert Peters has investigated all kinds of cases of abuse in churches. In an interview with ‘Evangelical Focus’, he argues why the “historically passive and superficial approach” in churches must change radically, and offers keys for action.

Experiencing abuse and other trauma in the Church creates a deep wound. Each person determines their best path toward incorporating this trauma into their understanding of themselves, the world around them, God, and how all of these connect. For many, the best path includes the use of a professional licensed mental health therapist.

As the Witness/Victim Support Coordinator at GRACE, I encounter this distressing narrative time and again. Abuse is uncovered, yet church leaders opt for silence, shielding the perpetrator. Far too frequently, victims, survivors, and whistleblowers are unjustly shamed and vilified for bravely speaking out and seeking justice.

The church is called to care for those who have been abused.  While the church has fulfilled that calling with some survivors of abuse, she has also failed countless people and sometimes created more harm. This article provides guidance for becoming a more trauma-informed church.

This scholarly publication will discuss how trauma informed care provides a framework for the use of child sexual abuse materials during a forensic interview. It further assists forensic interviewers in identifying alternatives to this potentially harmful practice.