Feeling like there’s no hope after abuse by clergy?
You’re not alone. Every year, thousands of survivors find themselves betrayed by the people and institutions they trusted most. In 2023 alone, 4,434 victims filed allegations against Catholic clergy.
Let’s be real:
The road to recovery from clergy abuse is tough. But it doesn’t have to be a journey you take alone.
Survivors across the country are making connections with specialized support networks, therapy programs, and legal advocacy groups. Some have even received settlements and awards that help them get the treatment they need to recover. The average settlement amount for clergy abuse cases is $268,466.
Best of all about clergy abuse healing resources today?
They’ve never been more accessible. 24-hour hotlines, survivor networks, online support groups, in-person resources – survivors have multiple ways to start their healing journey.
What’s Inside:
- The Impact of Clergy Abuse on Survivors
- Support Networks for Abuse by Clergy Victims
- Therapy and Counseling Options
- Legal Resources and Advocacy
- Spiritual Healing and Faith Recovery
- Building a Personal Healing Support System
Understanding the Impact of Clergy Abuse
Clergy abuse is not “just another type of trauma”…
It’s a deeply specific kind of violation that shatters the foundation of faith and trust survivors built their entire lives around. When someone in a position of spiritual authority abuses you, it leaves deep psychological, emotional, and spiritual wounds.
Here’s what makes clergy abuse unique:
Perpetrators hold a position of ultimate trust and moral authority in religious communities. Studies have found 80% of survivors say their experience with the church after the abuse harmed their spiritual life.
Survivors often struggle with:
- PTSD, depression, and anxiety
- Loss of faith, spiritual confusion, or anger at God
- Trust issues with religious authority figures
- Isolation from their religious community and loved ones
But here’s what many people don’t realize…
These reactions are NORMAL. It’s 100% natural to react this way to spiritual abuse.
Support Networks for Clergy Abuse Survivors
Access to the right kind of support is literally life-changing for many survivors.
The good news? There are support networks and survivor organizations that exist for exactly this reason. They know clergy abuse creates unique challenges that need specialized resources to heal.
Some you may not have heard of include:
SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests)
- The Hope of Survivors
- FaithTrust Institute
Learn more about each of these survivor groups below!
SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests)
The largest, oldest, most active support group for clergy abuse survivors. Decades of experience helping survivors with:
- Local and online support groups
- 24/7 online support communities
- Advocacy and legal guidance
- Public awareness campaigns
- Survivor leadership training
What’s special about SNAP? It’s a peer-run organization. The first person you talk to at a meeting or over the phone is a survivor just like you. They get it.
The Hope of Survivors
Organization offering specialized support for victims of clergy sexual abuse and misconduct. Resources include:
- Crisis intervention
- Educational resources
- Support group facilitation
- Spiritual care and guidance
FaithTrust Institute
Works to end sexual/domestic violence in religious communities. Resources include:
- Education and training
- Healing retreats
- Resource development
- Community outreach
Professional Counseling and Therapy for Clergy Abuse
Important things to know…
Not all therapists are equipped to handle clergy abuse trauma. You need a mental health professional who understands trauma recovery AND the spiritual dimension of your experience.
Therapists to look for:
- Religious trauma experts
- Sexual abuse recovery specialists
- PTSD treatment
- Faith and spirituality counselors
Types of therapy that work:
Trauma-Focused CBT, EMDR, Spiritual direction and counseling.
There are ways to afford therapy even if you don’t have insurance or money in your budget right now. Many survivors access counseling through victim compensation, sliding scale fees, insurance, or legal settlements.
Legal and Advocacy Resources for Survivors
For some survivors, part of healing means seeking justice and accountability.
Legal action is not the right choice for everyone, but many survivors find it’s an important part of their healing process to hold perpetrators and institutions accountable.
Recent legal changes have expanded survivors’ rights to seek justice, even for decades-old abuse. In many states, laws have been changed to:
- Extend or eliminate statute of limitations
- Create special filing windows for older cases
- Strengthen mandatory reporting requirements
- Increase penalties for institutional coverups
Organizations that can help:
- Jeff Anderson & Associates
- Crew Janci LLP
- Manly, Stewart & Finaldi
These firms understand that legal action is about more than money — it’s about institutional accountability, prevention, and giving survivors a voice.
Spiritual Healing and Finding Faith Recovery After Abuse
Is it possible to rebuild your faith after spiritual betrayal?
Every survivor asks this question at some point. There’s no one right answer, but many survivors do find new ways to reconnect with spirituality — sometimes in completely new ways.
Options for spiritual healing include:
- Faith-based counseling
- Alternative spiritual practices
- Progressive and inclusive faith communities
Remember: There is no “right way” to approach spiritual recovery. Every survivor is on their own journey, but know this is a path many walk successfully.
Building a Healing Support System for Clergy Abuse Survivors
You don’t have to go through this alone.
The strongest healing support system includes a mix of professional resources and personal relationships that encourage and nurture your recovery. This includes:
- Professional Team: Therapist, doctor, and maybe lawyer.
- Peer Support: Other survivors who understand your experience.
- Trusted Friends and Family: People who believe you and support your healing.
- Faith Community (if you want): A safe and supportive religious or spiritual group.
Be careful of people who don’t get clergy abuse.
You don’t have to explain or defend your experience to anyone. Shut out people who minimize your trauma, push “forgive and forget”, or put the institution before survivors.
Trust your instincts. If someone makes you feel worse about your experience, they’re not in your healing support system.
Moving Forward: Next Steps for Healing
Ready to start your recovery journey?
One important thing to remember: healing is not linear. It’s normal to have ups and downs, even years after the abuse. The key is to have the right resources and support in place when you need it.
Immediate steps you can take now:
- Call a hotline: RAINN’s National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673 to connect with local resources.
- Connect with other survivors: Contact SNAP or another survivor group to find peers who understand.
- Seek professional help: Look for a trauma-informed counselor who specializes in religious abuse.
- Write your story: When you’re ready, start journaling about your experience. It can help for healing and legal action.
- Practice self-care: Develop routines and habits that promote physical and emotional wellbeing.
Pulling it All Together
Survivor healing from clergy abuse is one of the hardest journeys anyone can face.
The unique nature of spiritual betrayal creates complex trauma with psychological, emotional, physical, and spiritual dimensions.
Here’s what every survivor needs to know:
You are not alone. You are not to blame. Healing is possible.
The resources and support options available today are more comprehensive and survivor-focused than ever before. From specialized therapy programs to legal advocacy, from peer survivor networks to spiritual healing, there are multiple paths to recovery.
The most important step? Reach out.
Whether that’s a call to a 24/7 hotline, a meeting with a support group, or your first counseling session, taking action starts the healing process.
Your healing matters. Your story matters. With the right support and resources, you can build a life of hope, strength, and purpose beyond the trauma you’ve experienced.
