Resources and Responses to Sexual Assault by Christian Faith Communities
Faculty Sponsor
Stacy Keogh, Whitworth University
Research Project Abstract
Churches are seen as places of refuge and safety from emotional turmoil, but are they sought out when people face emotional and physical trauma? We are interested in investigating the relationship between victims of sexual assault and their church communities. We will be researching the experiences had by victims of sexual assault when disclosing to church communities, as well as the resources made available by churches. Church communities can be an institution of support, and increased religiosity can help with recovery from traumatic events. This is important because if we find information leading us to believe that churches are not fulfilling the needs of victims of sexual assault, we can then examine what can be done on the part of the church communities to make their resources more welcoming and helpful to victims. For victims of traumatic events, often times disclosing the event can feel just as traumatic. Because of this sensitivity, respondents will be treated with the utmost sensitivity.
Session Number
RS4
Location
Weyerhaeuser 305
Abstract Number
RS4-a
Resources and Responses to Sexual Assault by Christian Faith Communities
Weyerhaeuser 305
Churches are seen as places of refuge and safety from emotional turmoil, but are they sought out when people face emotional and physical trauma? We are interested in investigating the relationship between victims of sexual assault and their church communities. We will be researching the experiences had by victims of sexual assault when disclosing to church communities, as well as the resources made available by churches. Church communities can be an institution of support, and increased religiosity can help with recovery from traumatic events. This is important because if we find information leading us to believe that churches are not fulfilling the needs of victims of sexual assault, we can then examine what can be done on the part of the church communities to make their resources more welcoming and helpful to victims. For victims of traumatic events, often times disclosing the event can feel just as traumatic. Because of this sensitivity, respondents will be treated with the utmost sensitivity.
