Child sexual abuse and exploitation sometimes include intentional offender spiritual manipulation. When this occurs, victims may protect the offender because they occupy a "sacred" position in the victim's life. This presentation will discuss such two cases that are diametrically opposite. One case involves a faith leader of a small rural church whose denial of the sexual assault of a minor victim member includes threats and death curses on the child's family members extolled during worship services. The second case involves multiple victims who are sexually exploited, some for decades by a national faith leader, whose fall from grace includes 100% loss of faith by these victims.
Learning Objectives:
Upon completion, participants will be able to discuss the three areas of victimization that result in damage to the body/health, mind/psyche, and spirit.
Upon completion, participants will be able to review the victim confusion particularly associated with sex trafficking victimization.
Upon completion, participants will be able to describe several societal misconceptions and biases that contribute to guilt, shame, and self-blame.
