DESCRIPTION:

Childhood sexual abuse (CSA) in families is a betrayal of the most basic human relationship, a crime, and a sin against its victims that causes long-term "socio-pneuma-psycho-somatic" repercussions into adulthood. This course will examine the spiritual, psychological, and physical effects of CSA and will offer a practical pastoral theology of care for adult Christian CSA victims.

If 27% of women and 16% of men have experienced some form of childhood sexual abuse, a pastoral care theology for CSA victims is necessary for pastors, biblical counselors, and therapists who counsel Christian clients. By the end of the course the student will have demonstrated the ability to describe the world of CSA victims, be able to articulate a pastoral theology of rescue and relationship, and learn how to compassionately minister to the unique pastoral care needs of CSA victims in each stage of their healing journeys.

The course format includes the integration of lecture through dialogue, class discussions of cases, and small groups interactions. The class will meet weekly for three-hour sessions.

Allender, Dan B. The Wounded Heart: Hope for Adult Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse. NavPress, 1992.

Augsburger, David W. Helping People Forgive. Westminster John Knox Press, 1996.

Blume, Sue. Secret Survivors: Uncovering Incest and Its Aftereffects in Women. Routledge, 1997.

OR Lew, Mike. Victims No Longer: Men Recovering from Incest and Other Sexual Child Abuse. HarperCollins Publishers, 1990.

Coulter, Leah. "A Pastoral Theology for the Sinned Against: Adult Christian Women Sexually Abused as Children." American Journal of Pastoral Counseling 3, no. 3/4 (2001), 187-205.

Heitritter, Lynn and Jeanette Vought. Helping Victims of Sexual Abuse. Bethany House, 1989.

Herman, Judith. Trauma and Recovery. Basic Books, 1992.

Park, Andrew Sung and Susan L. Nelson, eds. The Other Side of Sin: Woundedness from the Perspective of the Sinned-Against. State University of New York Press, 2001.

Anderson, Ray S. Christians Who Counsel: The Vocation of Wholistic Therapy. Zondervan, 1990.

Freyd, Jennifer. Betrayal Trauma: The Logic of Forgetting Childhood Abuse. Harvard University Press, 1996.

Hancock, Maxine and Karen Mains. Child Sexual Abuse: A Hope for Healing. Harold Shaw Publishers, 1987.

Hall, Liz and Lloyd Siobhan. Surviving Child Sexual Abuse: A Handbook for Helping Women Challenge Their Past. Bristol, PA: The Falmer Press, 1989.

Park, Andrew Sung. The Wounded Heart of God: The Asian Concept of Han and The Christian Doctrine of Sin. Abingdon Press, 1993.

Integrating reading, class lectures, and discussions, a 12-page paper describing the world of the victim of CSA will be required in the fifth week and a 12-page Theological Response paper to the CSA victim's questions will be required in the tenth week. Details in syllabus. Students will be expected to participate in classroom discussions and small group interactions.

Meets the M.Div. core requirement in Pastoral Care and Counseling (MIN5).