Resources
The following Internet resources, books and films that are recommended for survivors from all faiths and are only a fraction of what is available for recovery from religious abuse. While these resources can be adjuncts to some dimensions of spiritual recovery, they are not final destinations. Some resources here may be considered therapeutic and not necessarily spiritual; others are spiritual venues without psychological material. None of them are, nor should be considered recommendations for "treatment."
Investigate these resources carefully. Ask questions, look for ethical transparency and safe boundaries within the community or the organization. You can explore further—or you can simply close the computer. How you utilize this list is up to you. It is your journey of recovery and you can do it any way you wish. (Resources will be organized in alphabetical order not by religious affiliation, gender, or sexual orientation.
Recommended Films
The following films are feature and documentary films that deal with religious abuse.
- Celibacy, Anthony Thomas, HBO (2008)
- Constantine’s Sword, James Carroll (2008)
- Deliver Us from Evil, Amy Berg (2006)
- Downpour Resurfacing, Frances Nikara with Robert Hall (2008)
- Hand of God, Joe Cultera, PBS, Frontline (2007)
- In the Spirit of Honest Inquiry (a dialogue between the Dalai Lama and the Western Buddhist teachers, Dharmasala) (1996)
- Jihad for Love , Sandi Dubowski (2007)
- The Narrow Bridge, Israel Moskovitz (2006)
- The Secret Swami (BBC documentary) (2004)
- The Scarlet Bond, Jbird Productions (2008)
- In Good Conscience, Barbara Rick (2005)
- Trembling Before G-d, Sandi Dubowski (2001)
Recommended Websites
Abuse by Nuns
Abusebynuns.com provides a network of support for people who have experienced sexual or other forms of abuse by women religious.
http://www.abusebynuns.comAbuse Tracker
Abuse Tracker is a digest of links to media coverage of clergy abuse in all religions.
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/AbuseTrackerAbuseSupport
In addition to being a tremendous resource on articles and websites, Abuse/Incest also has chat rooms and message boards. It also has resources for young survivors in the 13-18 age range.
http://incestabuse.about.comAdvocate Web
Helping Overcome Professional ExploitationAdvocate Web is nonprofit organization providing information and resources to promote awareness and understanding of the issues involved in the exploitation of persons by trusted helping professionals.
http://www.advocateweb.orgAdult Survivors of Child Abuse
ASCA is an international self-help support group program designed specifically for all adult survivors of neglect, physical, sexual, and/or emotional abuse.
http://www.ascasupport.orgAffirmation
Affirmation serves the needs of gay Mormon women and men, as well as bisexual and transgender LDS and their supportive family and friends, through social and educational activities.
http://www.affirmation.orgThe Awareness Center
for Sexual Violence and Spiritual Abuse in the Jewish Community
The Awareness Center is an extensive website dedicated to providing education, information and resources to Jewish survivors of sexual violence, family members of survivors and sex offenders, religious leaders, rabbis, and all Jewish communities globally. It also has a comprehensive list of resources for survivors of other religious denominations.
contact:Vicki Polin info@theawarenesscenter.org
Bikers Against Child Abuse
BACA exists with the intent to create a safer environment for abused children. Though Baca is not specifically for survivors of religious abuse, it is noted in our resources because the organization understands firsthand what it means to be on the margins.
http://www.bacausa.com">http://www.bacausa.comBishopAccountability
BishopAccountability aims to facilitate the accountability of the U.S. Catholic bishops under civil, criminal, and canon law.
http://www.bishop-accountability.orgcontact: staff@bishopaccountability.org
BISHOP GENE ROBINSON
(2009) Why Religion Matters in the Quest for Gay Civil Rights, Emory University Center for the Study of Law and Religion, March 30, 2009.
Download PDFCall To Action USA
CTA is an independent national organization of over 20,000 people and 40 local organizations who believe the entire Catholic Church has the obligation of responding to the needs of the world and taking initiative in programs of peace and justice.
contact: cta@cta-usa.orgCEASE
C.E.A.S.E. has been created by victims/survivors of sexual, physical and spiritual abuse committed by employees and volunteers of the world-wide Seventh-day Adventist Church Devoted to educating church leadership about the prevalence of these abuses within the denomination.
contact: wawknboots@yahoo.comCenter for Action and Contemplation
The Center for Action and Contemplation serves not only as a forum for peaceful, non-violent social change but also as a radical voice for renewal and encouragement.
http://www.cacradicalgrace.orgCOUNCIL OF CONSCIENCE
CHARTER FOR COMPASSION
The Council of Conscience, a multi-faith, multi-national group of religious thinkers and leaders, reviewed and sorted through all the world's contributions to craft the final Charter. They continue to be vigorous supporters and advocates for the Charter and its message.
http://charterforcompassion.org/contact/COURAGE
Courage is a UK-based, not for profit, evangelical Christian organization for gay and lesbian Christians who are seeking a safe place of friendship in which to reconcile their faith and sexuality and grow towards Christian maturity, churches that need a resource to help them understand the issues and needs of gay, lesbian and bisexual (GLB) people, and gay people without a faith who are seeking answers to life’s questions.
http://www.courage.org.uk/Cult Awareness Network
Cult Awareness Network is a mediatory organization that educates about, advocates for, and supports survivors of abusive cults.
http://www.cultawarenessnetwork.orgDignityUSA
DIGNITY is organized to unite gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender Catholics, as well as our families, friends and loved ones in order to develop leadership, and be an instrument through which they may be heard, and promote reform in the Church.
http://www.dignityusa.orgcontact: info@dignityusa.org
Exmormon.org
Exmormon.org is a resource for those who are or were in Mormonism, so that they know they are not alone in their feelings and experiences in their quests to regain their lives after years in this religion.
http://www.exmormon.org Freedom of Mind Resource CenterThis site is dedicated to respect for human rights, spirituality, and consumer awareness. http://www.freedomofmind.com/resource
FreeMinds Inc.
Free Minds, Inc. is a non-profit organization keeping a critical eye on the Watchtower (Jehovah's Witnesses). They are not affiliated with any religious organization.
http://www.freeminds.orgFACTNET
Factnet helps survivors heal abuse caused by Religions or Cults. It deals with all areas of financial, sexual, physical, psychological, theological or indoctrinational abuse found in any religion or cult.
http://www.factnet.orgFaithTrustInstitute.org
Faith Trust Institute is a multifaith training and education organization that works together to address the religious and spiritual issues of sexual and domestic violence.
www.faithtrustinstitute.orgFIX THE LAW.ORG
FixtheLaw.org. is an organization of individuals and groups who seek to educate about, advocate for and address the prevention of child sexual abuse within our communities.We work to identify, clarify, improve and create new laws which will assist our society in keeping children safe from sexual predators.Our efforts include extending rights to adults who were abused as children. We believe in eliminating the statue of limitations for sexual assault crimes committed against children. We wish to enhance mandatory reporting laws, remove immunity protections, and improve Megan's Law provisions in states throughout our country.
http://fixthelaw.orgFortunate Families
Fortunate Families ministers primarily to Catholic parents of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) persons. that story with their family circle, their faith community and the larger society.
http://www.fortunatefamilies.comGamofites
Gamofites are men united in the joys and challenges of being fathers, Gay, and Mormon.
http://www.gamofites.orgcontact: gamofitetex@gmail.com
Gay and Lesbian Arabic Society (GLAS)
The Gay and Lesbian Arabic Society (GLAS), an international organization serves as a networking organization for Gays and Lesbians of Arab descent or those living in Arab countries.
http://www.glas.orgGift From Within
GFW is a non-profit organization dedicated to those who suffer post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), those at risk for PTSD, and those who care for traumatized individuals. GFW develops and disseminates educational material, including videotapes, articles, books, and other resources through its website.
GFW helps everyone with PTSD by sharing ideas, improving morale, and reducing the stigma of the diagnosis and its treatment. There are articles written by authorities in the field, poetry and art gallery for trauma survivors, peer support pal network, personal coping and inspirational stories, a Q&A, videos, book reviews, a list of retreats for survivors, a global list of trauma survivor support groups, and other educational materials and resources.
contact: JoyceB3955@aol.com
The Wounded Healer Journal
TWHJ has over a dozen forums covering topics from spirituality to PTSD and DID issues as well as articles and links to some very good chats.
http://www.twhj.com/Interfaith Sexual Trauma Institute
The Interfaith Sexual Trauma Institute's mission is to facilitate the building of safe, healthy, and trustworthy communities of faith. It promotes the prevention of sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment through research, education, and publication Interfaith Sexual Trauma Institute.
http://www.csbsju.edu/istirevivalcontact: isti@csbsju.edu
Karamah
Karamah is an educational charitable organization committed to developing a comprehensive, just, and thoughtful Islamic jurisprudence that takes into account the current concerns of Muslim women worldwide.
http://www.karamah.orgcontact: karamah@karamah.org
Malesurvivor.ORG
MaleSurvivor is an organization committed to preventing, healing and eliminating all forms of sexual victimization of boys and men through support, treatment, research, education, advocacy, and activism. MaleSurvivor offers Weekends of Recovery for survivors of sexual and clergy abuse to discover a personal sense of community as they connect in safety to other men on personal healing journeys.
http://www.MaleSurvivor.orgMothers Against Sexual Abuse
Dedicated to protecting children from sexual abuse through educational programs and conferences. Support and referrals for adult survivors of ritual abuse.
contact: clairemasa@aol.comNext Step Counseling and Small Wonder Books
Next Step under direction of Mike Lew and Thom Harrigan offer therapy and workshops, trainings and public lectures for male survivors of sexual and clergy abuse and the professionals who work with them not only in the states but throughout, Europe, Austrailia and New Zealand.
http://www.nextstepcounseling.comNORTH AMERICAN FREEDOM FOUNDATION
North American Freedom Foundation (formerly PARC-VRAMC) seeks to bring attention to mind control, slavery, and torture perpetrated in the U.S. and Canada; educate the public about survivors' and victims' special recovery needs; and develop and maintain the Garden of Healing (near Chattanooga, TN) honoring victims, survivors and pro-survivors.
http://naffoundation.org contact: mail@naffoundation.orgPersons Against Ritual Abuse-Torture
Persons Against Ritual Abuse-Torture is an educational and activist organization with expertise in ritual abuse-torture. We are involved in participatory research and have developed teaching models and many written materials explaining ritual abuse-torture as we have come to understand this human rights violation.
http://www.ritualabusetorture.orgcontact: flight@ns.sympatico.ca
Postmormon.org
The mission of PostMormon.org is to provide and maintain systems that facilitate the growth, and development, of a safe and supportive community for those who leave, or are considering leaving the Mormon Church.
http://www.Postmormon.orgcontact: email@postmormon.org
Queer Jihad
Queer Jihad is a advocacy resource for gay Muslims.
http://www.well.com/user/queerjhdRed Circle Project
The Red Circle Project (RCP) at AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) is currently the only HIV prevention program in Los Angeles County that specifically targets Native American Gay Men (known by the culturally specific term as Two-Spirit individuals).
http://www.apla.org/native_american/RCP/index.htmSafe Space Coalition
The Safe Space Coalition is an initiative that works to ensure safety and respect for gay and lesbian Latter-day Saints.
contact: brecken@LDSSafeSpace.orgThe Sanctuary Safe Network Community
The Underground Abuse Refuge is a friendly, open place where victims of abuse both past and present can come to find a place to relax, talk with and listen to other people.
http://stillrising.tripod.com/onlinesupport.htmlSidran Institute Traumatic Stress Education and Advocacy
Sidran Traumatic Stress Institute, Inc. is an education organization to assist individuals treat and recover from traumatic stress (including PTSD), dissociative disorders, and co-occurring issues, such as addictions, self injury, and suicidality. Sidran Institute.
http://www.sidran.orgcontact: help@sidran.org
Sharon's Rose
The purpose of Sharon's Rose is to give voice to Clergy Sexual Abuse survivors by providing resources and information. Their mission is to provide awareness and understanding about clergy sexual abuse.
contact: sharon@sharonsrose.comSoulForce
Soulforce is an organization that advocates freedom for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people from religious and political oppression through the practice of relentless nonviolent resistance.
http://www.soulforce.org contact: info@soulforce.orgSurvivors Network of Those Abused by Priests (SNAP)
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (SNAP) is a volunteer self-help organization of survivors of Catholic clergy sexual abuse and their supporters that supports survivors and pursues justice and institutional change by holding individual perpetrators responsible and the Church accountable.
http://www.snapnetwork.orgSurvivorship
Survivorship is for survivors of ritualistic abuse, mind control, and torture that supports survivors of extreme child abuse, including sadistic sexual abuse, ritualistic abuse, mind control, and torture. Survivorship provides resources, healing, and community for survivors; training and education for professionals who may serve survivors; and support for survivors’ partners and other allies.
http://www.survivorship.orgSurvivors for Justice
Survivors for Justice are survivors of childhood sexual abuse in the Orthodox Jewish community and their advocates who are committed to offering guidance and support to victims seeking justice through the criminal and civil legal system.
contact: info@SurvivorsForJustice.orgTamar's Voice
Tamar's Voice is a non-profit agency based in California that helps victims who have been sexually exploited by clergy to establish a support systemTamar's Voice.
http://www.tamarsvoice.orgTakeCourage.org
Takecourage is dedicated to illuminating the power of collusion in sexual abuse, especially when the perpetrators are members of the clergy.
http://www.takecourage.orgTHE SOARING PROJECT
The Soaring Project presents a diverse group of men and women speaking to their own voices about the pain of sexual abuse and the difficult, yet inspiring journey towards healing.
http://www.soaringproject.com/Transfaith
TransFaith is "dedicated to supporting Transgender folks in their faith journeys, while providing useful resources to help Church folks become better educated trans-allies.
http://www.transfaithonline.orgYouDeserveSupport.com
Through experiential, expressive and body centered work, Dale English MS offers workshops and recovery weekends for male survivors of clergy and sexual abuse and professionals. Dale English and Mikele Rauch also offer a workshop for professionals with vicarious trauma and compassion fatigue entitled My Turn. (See Workshop Section : My Turn: Care for the Caregiver).
http://www.youdeservesupport.comVoices in the Desert.org
Voicesinthedesert is a blog and newsletter for the often divided Roman Catholic Church reform community.
http://www.reform-network.netWolf in God's Clothing
The Wolf in God's Clothing is a weekend workshop for survivors of religious abuse of all faiths. (See Workshop offerings: The Wolf in God's Clothing: Recovering from Religious Abuse).
http://www.youdeservesupport.comcontact: mikelerauch@gmail.com
Defiant Requiem
A testimony to the power of the soul in the face of ultimate religious abuse:
http://www.choralfest.org/prague.phpThe Canadian Centre for Abuse Awareness
For the prevention of child abuse and adult victimization
www.ccfaa.com