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