Tag Archive for: ministry to survivors

Misbeliefs

Misbeliefs: I’m All Alone

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Many survivors of childhood abuse report feelings of being alone in the world, that no one can understand them. These feelings are deeply rooted in the abuse, where the perpetrator methodically created a private space of, “Don’t tell.” They come from feelings of shame survivors experience, making them unwilling to disclose their abuse.
Misbeliefs

Misbeliefs: It’s My Fault

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Survivors of trauma, whether childhood abuse, sexual assault, or domestic abuse, share a belief that the abuse was their fault. A person abused as a child may believe they were not loveable enough, or they could have stopped the abuse. Children who are sexually abused by a caregiver believe that they acted in a way that made the perpetrator want to have sex with them.
Coping with Flashbacks

Coping with Flashbacks

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People who have experienced trauma may experience flashbacks in their everyday lives. Flashbacks can be intense and bring back the emotions and senses experienced during the trauma. These memories are felt as if they are currently happening, rather than something that occurred in the past.
What Is A Trigger?

What Is A Trigger?

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Experiencing a sudden onset of the feelings and emotions that you felt during an abusive situation is a common experience for survivors. This is because the brain records and stores traumatic memories differently from non-traumatic ones. Trauma floods the body with hormones that turn off certain parts of the brain and make other parts go into overdrive.
Counseling Survivors

Counseling Survivors of Sexual Abuse

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Book review of Dr. Diane Langberg’s Counseling Survivors of Sexual Abuse.
Rid of My Disgrace

Rid of My Disgrace

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Book review of Justin and Lindsey Holcomb’s Rid of My Disgrace.
On the Threshold of Hope

On the Threshold of Hope – Part Two

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Part two of our review of Dr. Diane Langberg’s On the Threshold of Hope.
Article What Would Walter Do

What Would Walther Do?

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Counselors and theologians failing to understand the dynamics of child sexual abuse cases often apply the concept of law and gospel incorrectly. When this happens, perpetrators are emboldened to offend again and many victims leave the church.
A Lutheran Approach

A Lutheran Approach

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Using the writings of Martin Luther and C.F.W. Walther, this article outlines a Christian approach to ministering to victims and perpetrators of child abuse. The article begins on page 21 of this issue of Caring Connections.