April is National Sexual Assault Awareness month, as well as National Child Abuse Prevention month — and Shannon Deitz, abuse survivor and founder of Hopeful Hearts Ministry, is using the opportunity to raise awareness and offer a voice for survivors.
“This is a huge problem that we’re living every day,” Dietz told The Christian Post. “This is not a ‘fix it and it’s done’ problem. It’s something that affects our everyday life, our interactions with others, and how we view God. When we get abused, we get covered by these lies that we’re not good enough and that the shame is ours to carry. It’s about releasing those lies and saying, ‘I am worthy, I am God’s child, I have a right to be treated as a holy, good and perfect creation.”
The Church, she said, should be the first place bringing hope, healing, and a sense of God’s heart to those who are broken.
“We need to say, ‘I understand what you’ve been through, and that in no way defines who you are or how God sees you, His heart is broken for you,'” she said. “We need to say, ‘How can I help you heal? How can I come alongside you? I am so sorry and I’m here for you, whatever you need.’ With God’s help, we need to help survivors overcome the stigma of shame attached to abuse.”
Sexual violence, including child sexual abuse, indiscriminately affects all ages, genders, races, ethnicities, and economic backgrounds. Studies by David Finkelhor, Director of the Crimes…
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