Episodes
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…
On John MacArthur, Churches That Support Abusers, and the "Worldliness" of Child Protection
March 23, 2022
On this episode, we chat about the controversy surrounding John MacArthur, and a church culture that insists protecting women and children from abusers is "worldly." --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/survivors…
No, Healing Is Not The "Responsibility" of Sexual Abuse Survivors
March 9, 2022
You may have seen the "inspirational" quote floating around online: Trauma is not your fault, but healing is your responsibility. Well, on today's episode, we'll discuss why admonishments like this are a slap in the face to …
Orange Jumpsuits: The Antidote to the Church's Apathy Toward Victims of Sexual Abuse?
Feb. 23, 2022
It should be the love and compassion of Christ, a sense of justice and righteousness that compel christian institutions to report, rather than conceal the sexual abuse of minors in their midst. But since that doesn't seem to…
Dear Christian: Obesity & Gluttony Aren't Synonyms (And Why That Matters to Survivors of Sexual Abuse)
Feb. 2, 2022
Doctors, Scientists and researchers have long been exploring the link between obesity and childhood sexual abuse. In fact, sexual abuse is now recognized as being a key factor in obesity. The church, as usual, seems to be la…
Sexual Abuse Survivors and the Struggle with Self Care
Jan. 5, 2022
Why do survivors of sexual abuse seem to struggle with self care? And how has the church contributed to that struggle? We chat about it on today's episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/survivorsanctuary/m…
On Josh Duggar and the Church's Proclivity for Protecting Predators
Dec. 15, 2021
If you followed the Josh Duggar trial, you know that he was recently found guilty on two counts of possessing child pornography. Maybe you also noticed some similarities between how much of the Duggar family and The Church d…
When the Church Treats Sexual Abuse as a Partisan Issue: With Special Guest Joshua Yoder
Nov. 24, 2021
As promised, in this episode of Survivor Sanctuary we are piggy-backing off of our last episode on vaccine mandates and protecting the bodily autonomy of survivors of sexual abuse. We're chatting with Joshua Yoder, host of t…
Sexual Abuse, Body Autonomy, and How Vaccine Mandates Can Bring Up Trauma for Survivors
Nov. 4, 2021
Every once in a while, I need to record an episode that will step on #allthetoes. Typically, I try to stay away from political/partisan topics, but as vaccine mandates begin to go into effect across the nation, survivors of …
Hot Female Teachers and the Double Standard of Sexual Abuse Response in Schools
Oct. 13, 2021
It seems every other day in South Florida we see a new story of a teacher sexually abusing a student. And in fact, this past week, it was literally every other day, as two female teachers were arrested in Miami-Dade county f…
What the Gabby Petito Tragedy can Teach the Church about Believing Victims of Abuse
Sept. 22, 2021
As we've watched the tragic story of Gabby Petito unfold over the last several weeks, it's been triggering to survivors of all kinds of abuse. For survivors of sexual abuse in the church, specifically, we may not be able to …
When a Survivor Refuses to be Silenced: A Chat with Mendy Hood
Sept. 1, 2021
On today's episode of Survivor Sanctuary, we chat with Mendy Hood, a survivor of sexual abuse by her youth pastor at age 13. Mendy's fighting spirit is contagious as she shares her story and refuses to hold back in her quest…
If Frank Houston Were A Serial Bomber Instead of a Serial Child Rapist, We Wouldn't Be Having This Conversation
Aug. 12, 2021
Maybe you've seen the news that Hillsong founder Brian Houston has been formally charged for allegedly concealing his father's sexual assault of children. He is "devastated" by these charges, but perhaps not as devastated as…
To Those Who Think Sexual Abuse Ruins the Reputation of the Church
July 28, 2021
"Speaking out about sexual abuse doesn't ruin the reputation of the church... Sexual Abusers ruin the reputation of the church..." I'm sure they "meme" well, but when people use this logic to combat those who silence abuse v…
When Survivors are Bullied for Keeping the Faith
July 14, 2021
We know that many survivors of sexual abuse are judged by Christians for walking out of the church. But what about the survivors who choose to stay? It turns out many of them are also being judged, just by a new set of peopl…
Church: A Highly Dangerous Rehab Facility for Child Molesters
June 30, 2021
Of all the places that could offer a second chance to people who sexually abuse children, The Church is arguably one of the most dangerous. This is not solely because abusers are often put back into leadership roles there, o…
Jesus Gave Up His Life... Why Can't "Repentant" Abusers Give Up the Pulpit?
June 18, 2021
According to most preachers, Jesus is the example we should all be following. So why do so many of them fail to emulate Christ and his willingness to lay down his life for his sheep? If Jesus willingly gave up his rights as …
Russell Moore, Leaked Emails and the Southern Baptist Convention's Contempt for Sexual Abuse Survivors
June 9, 2021
The title of this episode is pretty self-explanatory. We're chatting about former SBCer Russell Moore and his letters which were leaked this week, revealing things about the SBC Executive Committee that really don't surprise…
In Case You Were Wondering, I Don't Speak Out About Sexual Abuse for Fun
May 26, 2021
Sometimes, speaking out about sexual abuse can cost you family relationships. That's often because the perpetrator is a member of the family. But what about family members who resent your voice for other reasons? In this epi…
For the Fruit of the Spirit is... Niceness (Why the Church Fails to Recognize Wolves)
May 12, 2021
In this episode of the podcast, we're going to finish our conversation about Wolves, and why the Church has so much trouble recognizing them in its midst. To start, it's very difficult to recognize a wolf when you don't even…
Christians Don't Actually Believe What the Bible Says About Wolves (And Other Reasons Sexual Abuse is Rampant in the Church)
May 5, 2021
It's there in black and white, and sometimes in red. The warnings about wolves are weaved throughout the tapestry of the New Testament, admonishing us to be on the lookout for the ravenous predators disguised as sheep in our…