Finding Healing from Abuse

Sexual abuse is a violation against a person’s body that has deep and devastating effects on their life. Guilt and shame often silence the secret and leave you paralyzed with overwhelming emotions. Expose the painful truth about your past and allow God to bring wholeness and healing into your life. You do not have to be a victim of your circumstances, but can overcome them with hope and find freedom from your past!

Call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.

Create a safety plan using our interactive safety planning tool, which asks a series of questions to help survivors identify their options.

This book provides a well-researched biblical and scientific overview of abuse. A broad overview, it deals with the various types of abuse, the various effects of abuse, and the means of healing.

Physical. Sexual. Emotional. Abuse comes in many forms. Pain wears many masks. Maybe you are a victim. Maybe you have created the victims. There is a way out. There is a path towards healing. Will you start the journey?

Darby Strickland, a counselor and teacher at the Christian Counseling & Educational Foundation, defines sexual abuse in marriage and explains how wives are oppressed in this way.

Drs. Henry Cloud and John Townsend offer solid guidance for making safe choices in relationships, from family to friendship, romance and work. They help identify the healthy and growing people we all need in our lives, as well as ones we need to learn to avoid. Safe People will help you to recognize twenty traits of relationally untrustworthy people and discover what makes some people relationally safe, as well as how to avoid unhealthy entanglements. You'll learn about things within yourself that jeopardize your relational security, and you'll find out how to develop a balanced approach to relationships.

Leslie offers encouragement for victims of emotional/verbal abuse

If you’re a victim of domestic abuse, you need to take decisive action right away. Your attitude toward physical violence must be one of zero tolerance. “Safety first” is the basic rule of thumb. This becomes all the more important when there are children in the household. Here are four things you can do to counteract violence while keeping yourself (and your kids) as S.A.F.E. as possible

NOVA's mission is to champion dignity and compassion for those harmed by crime and crisis. Founded in 1975, NOVA is the oldest national victim assistance organization of its type in the United States.

Our highly-trained advocates are available 24/7 to talk confidentially with anyone experiencing domestic violence, seeking resources or information, or questioning unhealthy aspects of their relationship. .

Abusive behavior was never and can never be a part of God's plan for a marriage or a family.

If you know – or suspect – that your wife was sexually abused as a child, you probably want to help in
any and every way you can. It’s natural to do the guy thing and look for ways to “fix” the situation, but
it’s just not that simple. You’re probably confused and wonder if there’s anything you can do – and
that’s frustrating. Here are five things you can do to help your wife.

If you know – or suspect – that your husband was sexually abused as a child, you probably want to help
in any and every way you can. But that’s easier said than done. Unfortunately, the scars of abuse often
persist into adulthood, and feelings of guilt and shame prevent many victims from talking about their past.
That’s especially true for guys; it’s not uncommon for men to shut down the subject completely – and in
doing so, shutting out and hurting those who care for them the most. Here are five things you can do.

If you or someone you love is in an abusive relationship, here are some resources to help you take steps towards safety and freedom.

Married couples need to recognize the differences between an unhealthy exchange and emotional abuse. Here are some signs of emotional abuse.

Three types of emotional abuse can easily be disguised: gaslighting, retaliation and projection. Know when you’re in an emotionally abusive relationship.

Read 5 Prayers for Healing from Emotional Abuse and learn how to pray in ways that reveal God's power and strength.

If emotional abuse is in your relationship, setting boundaries is crucial. If you think your safety’s at stake, learn how to effectively set boundaries.

You may want to know how to help and support someone you love who’s in an abusive relationship. Here are several ways for you to be there for them.

Fear of losing "tough guy" status and exposure to mockery from their community keeps many men from speaking up about an abusive wife.

This organization offers a program to stop domestic violence by bringing the perpetrator to accountability and providing skills for both the batterer and the victim.

The National Council on Child Abuse and Family Violence (NCCAFV) and its American Campaign provide prevention services.

This Christian organization comes alongside those who’ve been abused to help them find healing and wholeness in Christ.

Domestic violence, or domestic abuse is not normal, and should never be tolerated. Here's how to know the difference, and find your next step