Episodes
Episode 106: Churchome and Judah Smith Apparently Think It's "Fun" to Ask Victims to OK Hiring Their Alleged Rapists
March 1, 2023
Yet again, a church is in the news for hiring a credibly accused rapist to its staff. The kicker in this case is that they ran it by the alleged victim-who was adamantly against it-and did it anyway, in a pretty callous/tone…
Episode 105: Grace To You... Unless You're Being Abused
Feb. 15, 2023
John MacArthur and Grace Community Church are back in the news for *checks notes* continuing to turn their backs on victims of abuse. While the Church is busy clutching their pearls over Sam Smith's devil costume at the Gram…
Episode 104: The Myth of "Radical Grace"
Jan. 18, 2023
Radical forgiveness. Radical grace. These buzz phrases get thrown around in Christianity, soaking survivors of sexual abuse in shame and letting predators off the hook. But are they actually scriptural? We discuss on today's…
Accusations of Unforgiveness: Every Abuse Survivor's Battle
Jan. 4, 2023
It's probably happened to all of us: we share openly about the abuse we have experienced, and inevitably, someone's response is "you need to forgive." We unpack this lovely unforgiveness phenomenon in today's episode. Happy …
Episode 102: Steve Black on Facing Sexual Abuse Within the Family
Nov. 30, 2022
On this episode of the podcast, we're chatting with Steve Black of the Ezekiel 33 Project. Steve's daughter was abused by a family member when she was just 6 years old, and the lack of information available for parents going…
Episode 101: Sexual Abuse and the Case for Digging Up the Past
Nov. 16, 2022
We've all been told at one point or another to leave the past in the past. But when it comes to sexual abuse, wading through the past is necessary for healing. On today's podcast, we'll discuss why it's important to carefull…
Happy 100TH Episode, Survivor Sanctuary! (Plus Some Big News!)
Nov. 9, 2022
In celebration of the 100th episode of the podcast, we're excited to announce that Survivor Sanctuary is now on Patreon! You can become a patron of the podcast starting at $5 per month, and have access to exclusive content a…
Episode 99: Hunting Child Molesters on Tinder
Oct. 26, 2022
Did you hear about the woman who helped take down a child molester she met on Tinder? This story is a great reminder that an abuser can be anyone. We chat about it on today's episode of the podcast. RESOURCES: Woman Uses Tin…
Episode 98: Surviving Sexual Abuse Or Playing the Victim?
Oct. 12, 2022
Are survivors of sexual abuse "playing the victim" when they speak out about sexual abuse? There are plenty of people who think (and say) so. On this episode of Survivor Sanctuary, we'll talk about what it actually means to …
Episode 97: When Child Molesters Go Free (And Then Want To Follow Me On Twitter)
Sept. 21, 2022
It's cute that the creepy ex youth leader who beat a rap for allegedly sexually assaulting a minor just followed me on Twitter. We chat about it on today's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/survivorsa…
Episode 96: Beware Harmful Advice from Survivors and Advocates
Sept. 7, 2022
We're used to hearing bad advice, platitudes and questionable opinions on surviving sexual abuse from people who have never experienced abuse themselves. But there's a disturbing trend among survivors and advocates who seem …
Why Are Hardened Criminals More Enraged By Child Molesters Than The Church Is?
Aug. 24, 2022
The Department of Justice is investigating the Southern Baptist Convention for their decades of mishandling sexual abuse allegations. It may be easy to understand why the DOJ is concerned for the welfare of children, but wha…
When Mothers Side With Their Child's Abuser
Aug. 3, 2022
Is it a trauma response? A mental health disorder? What on earth would cause a mother to stay with and support a man who sexually abuses her kids? It happens more than we care to believe, and on today's episode we try to unp…
Counterfeit Confessions: How Abusers Use DARVO to Turn Churches Against Victims
July 20, 2022
Deny. Attack. Reverse Victim and Offender. It's a tactic used by many abusers to shame their victims and make them feel guilt over speaking out. But DARVO is also used to turn others--often entire religious communities--agai…
Sexual Abuse Survivors and the Church's Phony Compassion for the Unborn
June 30, 2022
With all the high-fives flying and churches celebrating in light of the overturning of Roe v. Wade, survivors of sexual abuse in the church may be left scratching their heads. Forgive us if we find the claims that the church…
The One Time It's OK to NOT Believe Survivors of Sexual Abuse
June 23, 2022
Believe survivors. We hear it often, and it's very important advice. But there's one time it's perfectly acceptable NOT to believe survivors... and that's when they tell you the abuse was their fault. On this episode we'll d…
Sheltered But Not Protected: A Chat with Justin Woodbury (Part 2)
June 1, 2022
Today on the podcast we continue our chat with Justin Woodbury of the blog and book, Sheltered But Not Protected. RESOURCES: Sheltered But Not Protected --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/survivorsanctuary/mess…
Sheltered But Not Protected: A Chat with Justin Woodbury (Part 1)
May 25, 2022
Today on the podcast we are chatting with Justin Woodbury of the blog and book, Sheltered But Not Protected. Justin shares his experience of surviving sexual and spiritual abuse in the IFB. RESOURCES : Sheltered But Not Prot…
Josh Duggar Keeps Telling His Family Who He Is. So Why Do They Refuse To Believe Him?
May 18, 2022
They say your character is who you are when nobody is watching. So why is it that Christians have so much trouble believing that people caught abusing children are depraved, dangerous and better off in prison? If you've been…
No, Mega Churches Are Not The Problem
May 11, 2022
It's always easier to find fault with "that church over there," but when it comes to sexual abuse, it's important to understand that it can happen *anywhere*. On today's episode we'll chat about the recent scandals that have…
The Importance of Understanding That An Abuser Can Be Anyone
April 27, 2022
"You think everyone is an abuser." It's a comment I've heard more than once in my work as an advocate, and in everyday life as a survivor of sexual abuse. On today's episode, we chat about the accusation, and discuss the dif…
On Christians Who Are More Bothered By Transgender Athletes Than Pedophile Pastors
April 20, 2022
Turning Red, Disney World PA greetings, transgender athletes... what are we protesting this week, church? Besides child molesters in our pulpits, because apparently that one is totally OK. On this episode, we'll discuss the …
No One Has Been Hurt By Church More Than Jesus (And Other Hot Takes Pastors Should Stop Sharing On Facebook)
April 13, 2022
It's always fun when a spiritual leader teaches theology-by-meme on social media. And by fun, I mean obnoxious. There are some quotes and memes floating around on Facebook these days that are aimed at people who apparently d…
Indonesian School Principal Sentenced to Death for Sexual Abuse of Students (America, Take Notes)
April 6, 2022
On today's episode, we discuss the former boarding school principal who was sentenced to death in Indonesia this week for his sexual abuse of at least 13 students between the ages of 11 and 14. Is the death penalty appropria…