Research on behalf of the Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service (CCPAS) into spiritual abuse reveals that most people need a better understanding of the term.
Dr Lisa Oakley from the University of Birmingham says in her report that key characteristics of the term are: “coercion and control, manipulation and pressuring of individuals, control through the misuse of religious texts and scripture and providing a ‘divine’ rationale for behaviour.”
The Churches’ Child Protection Advisory Service are recommending more training
shows a lack of an agreed, clear definition of the term itself. Awareness of what is often referred to as spiritual abuse is increasing in the UK however findings from a new study into this issue highlight big gaps in understanding around the topic.
Findings indicate the need to develop a fuller understanding of this very real experience, to assist in developing effective responses and help develop safer and healthier cultures across the Christian community.
The summary report issued today by CCPAS into ‘Understanding Spiritual Abuse in Christian Communities’ has been conducted in response to the growing need for credible research into this form of abuse.
Initial results show there is recognition that coercive controlling behaviours do occur in churches and other religious settings, but more needs to be done to understand and address the issues.
Of the 1,500 participants surveyed as part of the research, only 33%…
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