Link – First Woman To Accuse Nassar Says Church Can Be One Of ‘Worst Places’ To Go For Help
This quote is something that should embarrass church members and leaders.
“Church is one of the least safe places to acknowledge abuse because the way it is counseled is, more often than not, damaging to the victim,” said Denhollander, who now works as a lawyer in Kentucky. “There is an abhorrent lack of knowledge for the damage and devastation that sexual assault brings. It is with deep regret that I say the church is one of the worst places to go for help.”
It is true. You can read more about her experience, and what others are saying, but I have heard too many stories, and seen them myself to not know there is a problem. Putting aside issues with the Catholic Church and others with church leaders abusing children, even when that isn’t the case, going to a church and seeking help after being sexually assaulted is likely to get you some unenlightened, and hurtful, opinions. Either the idea that we should be forgiving, and accepting of abusers, or that we’ve been “ruined” by having our virginity taken, or for us male survivors, the un-manliness of having been assaulted, these attitudes have no place in the same organization that also discusses a loving God.
You have work to do.
