Not the Other Woman. Adult Clergy Sexual Abuse
ACSA occurs when a spiritual leader (elder, pastor, boss, counsellor, professor, lay leader) uses their role to exploit and abuse (through sexualized behaviour), someone who is under their care . This can be in person, online, or by phone or text.
Primary Resources
Clergy Sexual Misconduct Information & Resources
When Wolves Wear Shepherds’ Clothing: Helping Women Survive Clergy Sexual Abuse by Diana R.Garland
How Clergy Sexual Misconduct Happens: A Qualitative Study of First-Hand Accounts by Diana R. Garland & Christen Argueta
Responding to Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse by Dr. David K. Pooler, PhD and Amanda Frey, LMSW
Understanding Sexual Abuse by a Church Leader or Caregiver by Heather Block
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests: Adult Resources
Why Adult Victims of Clergy Sexual Abuse Are Not To Blame by Mark Scheffers
Soul Stealing: Power Relations in Pastoral Sexual Abuse by Rev. Pamela Cooper White
Other Articles
Abuse of Adults in the Church: What You Need to Know
What is Clergy Sexual Abuse And How Does it Happen?
Clergy Sexual Abuse of Adults Myths (Compiled by Not in Our Church from the Hope of Survivors Youtube channel)
Helping Women Survive Clergy Sexual Abuse
Why an Affair Involving a Pastor Is Not Simply an Affair
Sex With a Pastor: Affair or Abuse?
Sex With a Pastor: Abuse or Affair
Pastors Don’t Have Affairs; it’s Called Sexual Abuse
It’s Not an Affair; it’s Abuse: Article by David K. Pooler
Blaming Women for a Sexually Abusive Pastor: by Ann-Janine Morey, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at Southern Illinois University
Soul Stealing: Power Relations in Pastoral Sexual Abuse: by by Rev. Pamela Cooper White
Clergy Sexual Abuse: it’s a crime in 14 states
An Open Letter to Jim Daly, Focus on the Family re: affairs versus abuse
Regina pastor expelled over 'abuse of power,' sexually explicit texts
TRR Exclusive: An Open Letter to RZIM from Brad & Lori Anne Thompson
Sexual Misconduct in the Church When Mentor Becomes Molester Ministers are often granted immediate trust . . . but some betray it. by Alexa Smith via AdvocateWeb
Jennifer Lyell wanted to stop her abuser by telling her story. Instead, her life fell apart.
Court Convicts Pastor of Sexual Misconduct
Your Views on Power Dynamics Are Probably Outdated
Silent Sufferers: Female Clergy Sexual Abuse
‘The Scarlet Letter’ isn’t about adultery. It’s about clergy sexual abuse.
The Truth About Clergy Sexual Misconduct (24 minute Podcast by Betrayal Trauma Recovery)
Articles: Therapy Abuse (also relevant when your pastor/elder/spiritual leader counsels, advises or supports you)
Consent (An essay on consent from the Therapy Exploitation Link Line)
Types of abuse in therapy and what to do if you've been a victim
My Story is Different (Therapy Exploitation Link Line)
Behind Closed Doors: Sex Therapists (Read about what happens when therapists cross the line.)
Therapist-Patient Sex as Sex Abuse: Six Scientific, Professional, and Practical Dilemmas in Addressing Victimization and Rehabilitation by Kenneth Pope
Does Anyone Really Want to Know About Therapy Abuse? (Part 1) (Surviving Therapy Abuse)
Does Anyone Really Want to Know about Therapist Abuse? (Part 2)
From Charmed to Harmed: The Aftermath of Sexual Exploitation – Maria’s Story
Websites that Support Victims
Restored Voices Collective: a community of ACSA survivors supporting each other.
Therapy Exploitation Link Line (resources and support for victims of therapy abuse)
The Hope of Survivors (resources and support for victims of clergy/pastoral abuse)
Advocate Web (resources for victims of all types of abuse and exploitation)
Faith Trust Institute ( FAQ’s re: clergy abuse)
Betrayal Trauma Recovery: (support for women victims of domestic abuse, infidelity and clergy abuse)
Blogs
Katie Robert’s Blog: Walking in the Light (Abuse by a seminary professor)
Lori Anne Thompson (this is a blog and resource by a Canadian woman who suffered abused by Ravi Zacharias)
Books:
“Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church” by Diane Langberg
“In Session: The Bond Between Women and Their Therapists” by Deborah Lott
“At Personal Risk”: Boundary Violations in Professional Client Relationships” by Marilyn Peterson
“When Narcissism Comes to Church: Healing Your Community From Emotional and Spiritual Abuse” by Chuck DeGroat
“The Betrayal Bond: Breaking Free of Exploitive Relationships” by Patrick Carnes Ph.D., Paul Costanzo, et al.
“Something's Not Right: Decoding the Hidden Tactics of Abuse--and Freeing Yourself from Its Power” by Wade Mullen
“Prayed Upon: Breaking Free From Therapist Abuse” by Amy Nordhues