Abuse of Power in Faith Communities: How to Heal & How to Get Justice

Abuse within faith communities is something we hear from our community about a lot. In particular, how abuse and sexual assault in faith communities complicate recovery because our spiritual life becomes tied to the most intimate and terrifying experience of our lives. Where can we find sanctuary following compounded abuse?

This episode is a panel discussion on Abuse of Power: How the Church Can Respond. Joining us is Annette Cutino, Director, LEAD.NYC, Boz Tchividjian, Attorney & Founder of GRACE, Dr. Diane Langberg, Psychologist and Author, Drew Hyun, Founder, Hope Church NYC, Jay Stringer, Psychotherapist and Author and Faith Huckel Motter, Co-Founder, Restore NYC.

In this conversation, the panelists discuss covert abuse: spiritual, emotional, and overt: physical, sexual, and financial abuses – how abuse hides in plain sight, how to equip faith leaders to address their power and sexual story, and practical steps faith communities can take to protect those they serve, what healing looks like, and what you can do as a victim to fight back and receive justice.

We hope you are encouraged by this conversation, and remember, you are not alone.

Show Notes

Abuse within faith communities is something we hear from our community about a lot. In particular, how abuse and sexual assault in faith communities complicate recovery because our spiritual life becomes tied to the most intimate and terrifying experience of our lives. Where can we find sanctuary following compounded abuse?

This episode is a panel discussion on Abuse of Power: How the Church Can Respond. 

Joining us is:

• Annette Cutino, Director, LEAD.NYC
• Boz Tchividjian, Attorney & Founder of GRACE
• Diane Langberg, Ph.D., Psychologist and Author
• Drew Hyun, Founder, Hope Church NYC
• Jay Stringer, Psychotherapist, and Author
• Faith Huckel Motter, Co-Founder, Restore NYC

We covered:

• Abuse of power in faith communities
• How abuse often hides in plain sight
• How to equip faith leaders to address their power and sexual story
• Practical steps faith communities can take to protect those they serve

We hope you are encouraged by this conversation, and remember, you are not alone.

Goodies from this Episode: 

Listen and share survivor stories - Believing victims of abuse is just the beginning. Here are more ways you can support and empower them: 

• Register for Restore NYC's Trafficking 101 webinar to learn what is trafficking and what isn't

Be accountable - We can't do this alone. Here are some community and legal resources: 

• Boz Tchividjian: 
  • Learn about GRACE's services and resources for your church community
• Drew Hyun: 
  • Join NYC Pastors Meetup by contacting Drew at [e-mail]
• Annette Cutino: 
  • Connect with Annette for Executive and Team Coaching at www.annettecutino.com
• Jay Stringer: 
  • Learn about addressing sexual brokenness and find support resources at www.jaystringer.com 

In crisis? Text "GO FIRST" to 741-741 to speak with a trained crisis counselor 24/7 for free. 

 

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What is I'll Go First® with Jessica Minhas?

Jessica Minhas, host and founder of I'll Go First®, dives into the topics and conversations that we want to have but are a little afraid to talk about or aren't sure where to start. Celebrate the stories of courageous overcomers, inspiring mental health champions, and those boldly stepping into taboo spaces and inviting us into a full life. Listen, learn, and heal with people just like us who look adversity in the eye and say, “I will not stand down. I'll go first.”