Faith Can Silence Victims Of Sexual Abuse Or
Provide Solace
December 9, 2008
Childhood sexual abuse victims with a strong religious upbringing often report
feeling terrible guilt about their assault, which doesn't surprise Jean-Guy
Nadon. A professor of theology and religious sciences at the Université de
Montréal, Nadon has conducted dozens of interviews with women who were sexually
abused as children and found the impact of religious beliefs can produce varying
reactions.
Nadon interviewed one woman, who as a child was physically and mentally abused
by her mother, yet followed the 10 Commandments to the letter. That meant she
could not rebel because she'd been taught to honour her mother and father.
Indeed, as a child, the woman felt she had to forgive her mother's behaviour
otherwise she'd go to hell.
Another child, sodomized by her father, also felt she had to forgive him or burn
in hell, which her abuser used to his advantage. Another woman, who was raped by
a neighbor, was blamed by her mother who claimed the victim provoked the
assault.
"A child's God can be kidnapped and exploited by an adult, often by the
very adult who taught the child about God in the first place," says Nadon.
"It's the victims, not the aggressors, who find themselves silenced and
overwhelmed by guilt, pain and isolation."
Kids sometimes deny the existence of a God that doesn't protect children, while
others pray their abuse will end and some pray or get through the ordeal. The
common thread is that religion is an important resilience factor in abused
children. Many kids recite the 21st Psalm, the Lord is my Shepherd: "Yeah
though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death, I shall fear no evil,
for Thou art with me."
Depending on what part of the world they inhabit, Nadon cautions that victims
feel differently about their sexual abuse. In the northern United States, abuse
can weaken a victim's faith whereas a southerner can strengthen their belief in
God following abuse.
Nadon plans to further investigate how religion affects people. He is currently
interviewing victims of post-traumatic events such as rape, life-threatening
illnesses, accidents or war. He is collaborating with Denise Couture, a
Université de Montréal professor of theology and religious sciences, as well
as researchers from the Netherlands, Belgium and South Africa.
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Article adapted by Medical News Today from original press release.
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On the Web:
About the Université de Montréal: http://www.umontreal.ca/english/index.htm
Complete French version of this news item at http://nouvelles.umontreal.ca/content/view/2098/221.
Source: Sylvain-Jacques Desjardins
University
of Montreal
Medical News Today: http://www.medicalnewstoday.com
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