Supporting survivors of abuse within faith communities 

A group of people reading the Bible at church

Survivors of abuse within faith communities often face unique challenges when it comes to seeking support and healing. Their experiences and perspectives shed light on how faith communities in the UK and the Western world can better respond to and prevent abuse.

In this blog, we’ll explore the different types of abuse survivors have faced within faith communities, the barriers they encounter when disclosing abuse, the culture of cover-up and secrecy, the lack of formal support, and their suggestions for change. 

Types of abuse experienced in faith communities 

We think of faith communities as safe places, in large part because of their teaching on morality and 'love for thy neighbour'. But history has shown us that these communities are not immune from poor culture and abuse can happen. In fact, in some ways the very nature and set-up of faith groups can increase the likelihood of abuse if action is not taken to prevent it.

Abuse within faith communities encompasses various forms, including sexual, physical, emotional, domestic, and spiritual abuse. Survivors have shared their experiences, highlighting common themes in how abuse occurs within these communities and how their voices are heard or ignored.

It’s crucial to consider how faith communities respond to abuse and how they handle disclosures, as this can affect survivors' willingness to report abuse perpetrated by members of their own community. 

Barriers in disclosing abuse and hierarchical structures 

One significant barrier survivors face is the hierarchical structure and culture of cover-up and secrecy within faith communities. This culture hinders their recovery and discourages them from speaking out or seeking help.

Some survivors, especially within Muslim communities, struggle to recognise the abuse due to the role of the perpetrator as a religious authority figure. They may also face rejection from close family members, intensifying their feeling of helplessness. 

The misuse of religious scriptures and texts to justify and rationalise abuse, particularly sexual abuse, is another issue survivors have highlighted. There is a lack of understanding within faith communities about coercive control and the differences between a perpetrator's public and private faces.

This lack of understanding can further hinder survivors from being believed or taken seriously, especially when the perpetrator holds a position of authority or respect within the community. 

Culture of cover-up and secrecy  

Abuse perpetrated by clergy has a long history of secrecy within religious institutions. Survivors often feel compelled to keep their abuse a secret, particularly in cases of domestic abuse, where the pressure to maintain an ideal image of Christian couples or families contributes to a culture of silence or disbelief within Christian communities.

This culture of silence is also present in Muslim communities, where survivors struggle to share their experiences, and spiritual threats may be used to silence them. 

Survivors have expressed frustration with faith communities that prioritise reputation and image over supporting and taking their experiences seriously. This was one of the key findings from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).

They often find themselves blamed for the perpetrator's behaviour or disbelieved, further compounding the trauma they’ve endured. Survivors face systemic barriers that they must overcome to be heard and supported within faith communities. 

 Lack of formal support once abuse is disclosed 

Another finding from the IICSA final report, of which Thirtyone:eight was a Core Participant, was that survivors of abuse within religious institutions and faith communities often find that formal support is lacking. Even when their abuse is recognised, they feel unsupported by the religious institution.

This lack of support leaves survivors with coping mechanisms such as suppression, seeking informal support from friends and family, or turning to social media communities like the #ChurchToo movement on social media for validation and resources. 

How can faith communities better support survivors? 

People with lived experience of abuse also shared about professionals from outside their faith communities and the need for them to receive training on working with minority communities, such as religious institutions. They explained that they need to have a greater understanding of balancing cultural respect with statutory guidance/regulations and safeguarding (The Truth Project, 2019).  

Survivors have shared valuable insights into how faith communities can provide better support. They emphasise the need for advocacy, awareness raising, and tangible support when survivors disclose abuse. Resources, helplines, and support networks should be accessible and widely known within faith communities. It’s crucial to create a safe environment for survivors to report abuse or potential abuse, ensuring their protection and support. 

Raising awareness 

Education, training, and awareness within religious communities are crucial to understanding and supporting survivors of abuse. One common suggestion for change made by participants from the Truth Project who have experienced sexual abuse in religious contexts was to ‘increase community and parental knowledge and awareness of child sexual abuse (36 per cent). Participants also often spoke about the need for children to have someone to report the abuse to (32 per cent).’ (Truth Project, 2019).   

Theological colleges should improve teaching around domestic abuse, helping individuals spot the signs and support survivors in leaving abusive relationships. Religious institutions have a responsibility to prioritise safeguarding practices. 

Within the faith context, several organisations and resources are available to support individuals with lived experience of abuse. These services provide a range of support, including counselling, helplines, creative projects, and survivor networks. Examples include: 

Safe in Faith: Safe in Faith, a project of Caritas Westminster, supports survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence, and exploitation, considering the impact of faith on their experiences. They offer faith-based counselling and support, catering to individuals from different religious backgrounds.

If I Told You, What Would You Do? This strategy, jointly funded by Safe Spaces and the Diocese of Newcastle, offers peer support to individuals with lived experience of abuse. It also involves creative projects, such as art, music, poems, and spoken word, created in collaboration with survivors.

FaithAction: a resource for faith leaders on domestic abuse that provides a resource guide called Faith and Domestic Abuse to assist faith leaders in understanding and responding to domestic abuse issues.

Survivors Voices Turning Pain into Power: This charter offers guidelines for organisations engaging abuse survivors in projects, research, and service development, ensuring that survivors' voices and experiences are respected and heard.

There are several other charities and campaigns in the UK that offer support for survivors of abuse, including:

These organisations and resources play a crucial role in providing support, raising awareness, and advocating for survivors of abuse within faith communities. By being aware and making space for the voices of people with lived experience of abuse, you can play your part in moving towards a world where every child and adult can feel and be safe.