Edited by Johanna Stiebert

This book draws attention to the texts, mechanisms, strategies, and initiatives that address and combat sexual(ised) spiritual abuse in five world religions. It goes beyond identifying, describing or characterising spiritual abuse in multiple religious traditions and rape culture settings, instead describing what is being done in diverse religious communities and settings to confront, address, resist, and heal from spiritual abuse. Just as none of the world religions are free from spiritual abuse, all have developed ways to detoxify, prevent, eliminate, and bring healing and justice in the face of its existence. Solution-focused activities range from analysis of sacred texts, to discussion forums, creation of self-representational visual and creative expressions, digital and other forms of activism and protest, specialist training courses, support groups, and survivor-led initiatives. The book will appeal to academics of religious studies with interest in rape culture and spiritual abuse, as well as upper-level undergraduates and postgraduates, and also religious leaders, or leaders of faith-based organisations, seeking to understand and to confront spiritual abuse and rape culture in their own communities. 

Oxford; New York: Routledge, 2025. 98p.

By  Mary Bylera , Tara L Mitchellb , Rhoda Witmerc , and Jasper Hoffmand

Background: Anabaptists are often stereotyped as quaint, conscientious objectors, peaceful, and gentle and are upheld as models for forgiveness, yet little is known about potential violence and abuse within their communities. Investigative reports, such as Espenshade and Alexander (2004) and Price (1992), though, suggest that sexual and physical violence may be common.

Objective: We sought participants for a study on their experiences of child sexual abuse (CSA). Because existing research on CSA has largely excluded Anabaptists or promoted the voices of their powerful over the marginalized voices of survivors, we intentionally sought current and non-practicing Anabaptist participants.

Methods: Participants (N = 384) responded to an online survey. Survey questions addressed participant demographics, religious affiliations, CSA experiences, and childhood teachings about CSA, as well as how CSA affected them.

Results: Of the 384 participants, 310 were born or joined in Anabaptist. Chi-square analyses showed that approximately half of participants experienced CSA, almost all participants were impacted by CSA, and CSA was related to changes in religious affiliation. Importantly, though, qualitative analysis revealed Anabaptist-background participants described CSA in ways that differed notably from participants not raised Anabaptist.

Conclusion: CSA occurs within conservative religious groups, including Anabaptist churches. Accurate information and language regarding bodies, abuse, consent, and resources could help conservative Anabaptist communities prevent CSA and provide culturally competent care for CSA survivors.

2024. 34p.