10 Life-Saving Sources for Survivors

How does a survivor of abuse, any kind of abuse, find help? Well, you could use the search engines, and click from link to link, of course. But what if you're a Christian and you want to make sure the resource is biblically based? I offer these ten resources to help. Each source has other sources, so be sure and click on the links!

1. Christian Survivors Ministry

Christian Survivors came into being due to one survivor's realization that a need existed on the internet to have a place where survivors of abuse could deal with their issues safely, with the goal of healing firmly in mind. At that time, there were many survivors groups online, but they were, sadly, filled with conflict, gossip, flaming, and negativity. They held very little positive input from either staff or members. In addition, many of these forums treated people's belief in God as a very negative crutch, and there were few safe places to talk about survivor issues within a Christian context. We are an active community for survivors of all types of abuse. Our aim is to bring friendship and support to survivors in need, and ultimately to help one another come to a place of healing in our lives!

2. Set Free Today

Set Free Today is designed to show people, with everyday as well as life-changing issues, the path to freedom through emotional healing and inner change. Our team members have been-there-done-that. That’s why we can offer you a safe gathering place complete with loving guidance and a hand to hold. We provide practical biblical counsel, support, encouragement, hope, and prayer. Our mission is to help you experience wholeness and freedom to pursue your present and future. A Christian Ministry.

3. Prodigals International

Breaking through the bonds of sexual addiction.We are a Christian ministry dedicated to helping men, women and families overcome sexual addiction. Our 12-step program provides resources and support for the man who is struggling, the wife who is hurting, and the pastor or counselor who wants to help.

4. Spiritual Abuse Recovery Resources

We hope the resources at this web site will be helpful to you who have been spiritually abused. The damage that has been done is not irreversible. It is possible to feel safe again. It is possible to learn to rest again. It is possible to regain that sense of blessing you once had when you first realized that God's stance towards you, God's 'yes', was not based on your performance, but rather on God's very own performance, that of Jesus, signed, sealed, finished, available in gift-form only.

5. The Wounded Healer Journal

This site is the oldest point of presence on the web for psychotherapists and others who have experienced the devastation of trauma including child abuse. Created and maintained from 1995-2002 by Linda Chapman, TWHJ is now managed by Carol McClure of Healing-Journey.net.

Topics discussed in the TWHJ Forums include: Treatment after abuse and trauma (counseling, psychotherapy, psychiatric care), psychological effects of child sexual abuse, neglect, physical and verbal abuse, domestic violence, dissociative identity disorder (DID - formerly multiple personality disorder or MPD), PTSD (post traumatic stress disorder), dealing with emotional maltreatment, abandonment, ritual abuse, depression, panic and anxiety, incest, sexual assault, self injury, eating disorders, alternative therapies including EMDR and energy therapies like Healing Touch, mental health resources, health issues, male survivors, relationship issues, crisis lines, finding a therapist, bipolar disorder, addiction, grief and loss, and spirituality -- to name a few.

You'll also find out how to report child abuse as well as links to sexual offender registries.

6. Preventing Divorce

No marriage is hopeless! There are numerous ministries and organizations that are demonstrating remarkable results in saving troubled marriages. This is a Christian Referral Service. The website offers links to ministries which can help to prevent divorce and solve marriage problems. Good resource site!

7. Healing Streams for Survivors

This site is specifically for long-term incest survivors. Joy walks through her own 10-year recovery with wisdom, sensitivity, and deep insight into the Biblical Approach to recovery. Her post "Paid In Full," in which she describes her forgiveness towards her father on his death bed, shows the spiritual depth of this woman.

8. The Healing Path Resource Page

This site, built by Ann Randall who is an incest survivor, is outdated, but on Page 8 she lists some valuable resource sites for further recovery.

9. From The Inside Out

For Christians who are survivors of all kinds of abuse. If you are living with the consequences of your own or another's sexual abuse, ritual abuse, mind control or dissociative conditions, you are welcome to join us here.

If you are going to work with ritual abuse survivors, you must also get educated if you want to be effective. And you must learn to be humble. Trauma survivors do not need to be around ignorant, modern-day Pharisees. Survivors in pain need people who will connect with them on an emotional level, get right down in there where they are, and listen. --Kathleen Sullivan

10. Christian Recovery International

At this site you will find every resource imaginable for every age, type of abuse, every country, and a lot of help for pastors, too. An excellent resource site for other links to help you through your Christian Recovery - even Twelve Step Groups! This site is loaded with help for those in trauma.

I do hope these sites will aid you on your journey to emotional and spiritual health and a deeper walk with Christ. Please feel free to pass this article on to those who would profit from it, with my blessings, and with God's blessings.

Submitted 2008 April Lorier

Author April Lorier shares her Christian perspective on NEWS, current events, books, child abuse, divorce, issues for women, psychology, counseling, ministries, and her journey with God.