Edification: Resources for survivors
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Sexual Healing
Secular people won’ t talk about forgiveness. Christians only want to talk about forgiveness. We can talk about that way down the road, because the anger must be addressed before it consumes the survivor. We first need to bring help to victims so that they can get their feet underneath them. They are trying to deal with pain, rage, humiliation and guilt. Forgiveness is not a switch you just flip on. Forgiveness is a decision you nurture for the rest of your life. In fact, as you heal, it hurts more because there’ s more of you to hurt! You realize spiritual boundaries were also broken. In helping survivors heal, don’ t insist on forgiveness first. Later in the healing journey you can start dealing with forgiveness. First, we
Dr. Andrew Schmutzer is professor of Biblical Studies at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago where he has taught since 1998. He has authored and contributed to several works, including The Long Journey Home: Understanding and Ministering to the Sexually Abused( Wipf & Stock, 2011).
need to deal with the anger and rage and put them on the perpetrators. It’ s a journey that will take the rest of our lives for many abuse victims. The sovereignty of God is not in what he prevents, but in His ability to weave together the broken pieces of our lives. It’ s a process and it requires us to help heal them here where they were broken. God gives us free will and responsibility too. He lets consequences play out. He doesn’ t just stop the train from running over the car. But He’ s given us wisdom. We’ re going to have to lean on each other. We all have to come together to help the broken among us.
This is the first in a series of articles that will examine the issue of abuse and healing for survivors. Dr. Schmutzer will respond to readers’ questions in the next issue.
If you would like to contact Dr. Schmutzer, he can be reached at andrew. schmutzer @ moody. edu or you can send your questions for the next issue to monicaatthewell @ aol. com.
Groups and Organizations
Adult Survivors of Child Abuse
Adult Survivors of Child Abuse( ASCA) is an international self-help support group program designed specifically for adult survivors of neglect, physical, sexual, and / or emotional
abuse. www. ascasupport. org
American Association of Christian Counselors www. aacc. net
Childhelp USA
Provides comprehensive crisis counseling by mental health professionals for adult and child victims of child abuse and neglect, offenders, parents who are fearful of abusing or who want information on how to be effective parents. The Survivors of Childhood Abuse Program disseminates materials, makes treatment referrals, trains professionals and conducts research. www. childhelpusa. org
Girlthrive
Girlthrive Inc. helps teen girls and young women who have survived incest and all sex abuse through opportunity and education. Girlthrive Inc. empowers girls by helping with tuition for education and creative endeavors, laptop computers, funds for kickboxing, art classes and more. www. girlthrive. com
G. R. A. C. E.( Godly Response to Abuse in a Christian Environment) GRACE is a non-profit organization made up of highly trained and experienced multi-disciplinary professionals who seek to educate and empower the Christian community to identify, confront and respond to the sin of child abuse. www. netgrace. org
Books
Click cover to buy the e-book
Edited by Dr. Schmutzer, The Long Journey Home contains the insights of over two dozen psychologists, theologians, and those in pastoral care, all targeting the issue of sexual abuse. Designed as a resource for Christian educators, therapists, pastors, social workers, group leaders, and survivors, The Long Journey Home combines current research in mental health with rich theological reflection, global concern with fervent pastoral wisdom for the local faith community.
Spring 2013 / The Well Magazine 29