Adult Sexual Abuse in Religious Institutions

This book is written for all faith communities, traditions and hopefully will speak to all cultures. However it is earthed within the Christian tradition. The subject is 'Adult Sexual Abuse in Religious Institutions'. It is based on experience and a wide education. Change is happening and this book is to assist you in the societal changes in our midst. This book is not about gender as the 'offender' can be male or female, as can the victim. It is about issues of power and control and how we deal with issues that emerge from this. This book does not exist to unsettle the good functions within your community life but to highlight how strong, insightful and broadly educated we all need to be when a complaint arises. The words 'offender' and 'victim' are used to examine the roles within the relationships being examined. The victim will remain a victim, if not treated appropriately by the Institution. A victim can have a good future (it may be hard won) and be a survivor. The religious institution cannot heal the offender with 'grace, forgiveness, reconciliation', these words are within our own world view. The healing for offender and the victim is a specialist function found within society and the criminal justice system. There needs to be an orientation to the words like psychopath, narcissism, sex offender, victim, issues of responsibility, fiduciary duty, and professional breach to name a few. The author hopes that everyone in the 'dance of life' will find something within this book which will assist them in their understanding "