What Survivors Tell Us About the Spiritual Harm of Abuse

Teresa Huizar interviews Victor Vieth about the spiritual harm child sexual abuse can cause and how child abuse professionals and Children’s Advocacy Centers (CACs) can respond. Vieth describes how offenders may use religion to groom or silence children, and how faith-community reactions can deepen harm, recalling a 12-year-old asking if “God is against me.” The discussion defines spirituality versus religiosity, highlights children’s spiritual questions arising in forensic interviews and therapy, and notes research linking high spiritual distress (feeling abandoned by God) with greater trauma and suicidal thoughts. Vieth explains barriers to addressing the topic (discomfort discussing religion, negative associations, lack of training) and cites research showing 82% of mental health providers were not fluent in this literature. He outlines options such as chaplaincy and training (Keeping Faith), emphasizes consent-based, ecumenical spiritual care, and previews a forthcoming interactive spiritual care toolkit with models and resources. 

Time Stamps 

Time Topic 

00:00 Spiritual Harm Overview 

01:59 Victor’s Wake Up Call 

03:22 Why Research Is Rising 

08:32 Defining Spiritual Harm 

13:17 Trauma Informed Responses 

16:21 Toolkit And Care Models 

19:00 What Chaplains Do 

23:33 Stories Of Spiritual Support 

26:46 Programs That Get It Right 

31:19 Research Next Steps 

34:00 Closing And Where To Learn 

Resources

Spiritual care in Children’s Advocacy Centers: results of a survey of CAC directors - ScienceDirect

Support the show

Did you like this episode? Please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.