Survivor Resources
If you need immediate assistance, please call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 or dial 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline.
Sr. Danielle Victoria and Sr. Theresa Aletheia meet regularly with survivors to hear their stories.
We clarify with everyone who contacts us several things that are important to understand before we meet:
We are not counselors or trained professionals. Spiritual accompaniment does not replace professional mental health support.
We receive a lot of requests to meet with survivors. So, unfortunately, we are unable to commit to more than one meeting.
We try not to give advice but rather to listen
All that we discuss is held sacred and in confidence. It’s important, however, to be aware that we are also mandatory reporters of abuse.
If you would still like to share your story with us, please email support@sistersofthelittleway.com.
Since we are just two people, we are limited in the support we can provide to survivors. As we grow and receive new members into our community, we hope to expand the resources we offer to survivors.
In the meantime, below you can find various organizations and professionals who focus on survivor support.*
Warning: The organizations and people named below have not been vetted and approved by us. We are simply sharing many of the resources we know are out there. Please use your own discernment and good judgment in finding the support that is best for you.
For Survivors of Sexual Abuse in the Church:
Awake: a community of abuse survivors, concerned Catholics, and allies responding to the wounds of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. Awake holds several support circles for survivors of sexual abuse in the Church. We recommend signing up for their email list.
Spirit Fire: an association of survivors of child sexual abuse by Catholic clergy and others with authority in the Church.
Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests: provides support for women and men wounded by religious and institutional authorities (priests, ministers, bishops, deacons, nuns, coaches, teachers, and others).
For Former Women Religious:
Leonie’s Longing offers support to women who have left convents and monasteries.
Vita Benedicta accompanies women who have left the convent; they also have resources available that address spiritual abuse in religious life.
Articles on Spiritual Abuse:
Fahey, P. (2022). The Place Where You Stand is Holy Ground: Recognizing and Preventing Spiritual Abuse in the Catholic Church.
Mescher, M., Stinson, K., Fuller, A., Theuring, A. (2022). Measuring & Exploring Moral Injury Caused by Clergy Sexual Abuse. Xavier University.
Thirtyone:eight. (April 23, 2023). Creating Healthy Cultures & Understanding Spiritual Abuse.
Training in Spiritual Abuse:
Paul Fahey, a licensed counselor, holds regular trainings on spiritual abuse. His website can be found here. He has also written a very helpful handout on spiritual abuse.
Bernhard Streisselberger, Mag.pth., MTh. offers training on spiritual abuse, narcissistic abuse recovery coaching, and other resources.
If you are looking for a mental health professional in your area, please let us know, and we can try to connect you with someone if we know someone in your area.
Other
*This is not a comprehensive list of resources; we will update regularly.