Set Us Free: What the Church Needs to Know from Survivors of Abuse

Set Us Free dispels the myth that "abuse does not happen in my church." This book uses the stories of abuse and survival to help the reader examine the connections among abuse, religious beliefs, and the church. Through these personal accounts, we are reminded that abuse is not confined to any singular group of people, nor is religion or the church immune. Through the voices of survivors, Set Us Free examines how religion has been used as a means to justify abuse, how the church has responded both positively and negatively to the issue, the long and short-term effects of abuse, and how survivors struggle with their understanding of God, His nature, and their faith. The book concludes with a set of guidelines for churches that wish to sensitively, thoughtfully, responsibly, and effectively respond to the issue of abuse.