Helpful Resources for Victims of Abuse
If you believe you have been hurt by your experience with the People of Praise or were abused by someone from the People of Praise, you are not alone. Below you will find a list of resources to help you in healing and reporting your abuse. Contact us (PoPSurvivors@gmail.com) if you need help with any of these steps. We are here to help.
Remember that you are not alone, that everything is temporary, and that healing is possible.
Therapy
Healing from traumatic experiences is a lot easier when you have a trained therapist on your side. A good relationship between client and therapist is key to healing, and choosing the right therapist is a personal decision. Use this doctor locator to find a list of therapists, counselors, and psychologists in your area and consider reaching out to someone for help.
If you are looking for a counselor who specializes in spiritual and/or psychological abuse, this page may be a useful tool for you.
SNAP
Talking about what you have gone through with other people who have experienced something similar can be valuable for your healing journey. SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, offers many different peer-support groups that you are welcome to consider joining. While meetings are currently all held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic, you can find information about groups in your area, as well as cohort-specific groups like Men’s Group and Women’s group on the SNAP website
RAINN
If you are currently in a crisis and need to speak with a trained crisis professional immediately, you can take advantage of the services offered by RAINN, including a 24/7 telephone hotline (1-800-656-4673) and online chat. You will be connected to a crisis counselor who can help you with your immediate situation and help you find resources in your local area.
Police
Abuse is a crime and should be reported to police if you are feeling healthy and strong enough to do so. RAINN has put together this thoughtful guide on how to report your abuse, as well as going over common concerns that survivors have when reporting. If you are interested in making a report, consider taking a friend or family member with you for support.