2024 publication Surviving God: A New Vision of God through the Eyes of Sexual Abuse Survivors – March 26, 2024
by Grace Ji-Sun Kim (Author), Susan M. Shaw (Foreword)
Who is God when we see God through the eyes of survivors?
Many books have dealt with sexual abuse scandals in the church and the role of pastoral care for survivors. Others have provided liberatory readings of biblical texts to support survivors of sexual violence. Surviving God takes a new approach, centering the voices of sexual abuse survivors while rethinking key Christian beliefs. Starting from experiences of oppression, beliefs that contribute to oppression are challenged, and new, hopeful, and healing beliefs take their place.
Groundbreaking theologians Grace Ji-Sun Kim and Susan M. Shaw, each a survivor herself, demonstrate how traditional ways of thinking about God are highly problematic, contribute to the problems of sexual abuse, and are not reflective of the God of love and justice at the heart of the gospel. These long-held theologies often perpetuate the problem of sexual abuse and fail to promote healing for survivors. Drawing from their own experiences and the experiences of other survivors, and centering the ways gender intersects with race, sexuality, class, and religion, Kim and Shaw lead us to deep healing and a transformed church that no longer contributes to the devastation of sexual abuse. In these inspiring pages, you will discover new ways of thinking about God that are surprising, challenging, and empowering.
Preventing and Responding to Family Violence: A Faith Leader’s Practice Guide and Toolkit’ by Manal Shehab (Sisters4Sisters Support Services) with support from WIRE and other famiy violence specialist organisations, including consultation with members from Victoria’s diverse faith communities.
(downloadable resource)
Key lessons from faith communities supporting healthy relationships: a participatory action research project with the Multifaith Advisory Group (October 2021). Downloadable PDF. The Project responded to recommendations 163 and 165 of the Victorian Royal Commission into Family Violence (State of Victoria, 2016) aiming to build the knowledge and capacity of faith leaders to prevent and respond to family violence and violence against women.
Preventing Violence Against Women (Anglican resource)
National Anglican Family Violence project
Article about Holding the Light service 2021