The Hope of Survivors is pleased
to announce the release of a new documentary DVD. Call It Anything But Love! is a true story of a couple’s struggles
and challenges as they overcome their painful pasts to find themselves in a
spider’s web of lies, deceit, adultery and abuse—at the hands of their pastor.
“I was deeply
touched by the video...,” says one victim from Hawaii. “So many like us will be able to connect and relate. My heart ached
deeply with yours in hearing the darkest and most painful periods of your life
when you were faced with so much doubt and feelings of worthlessness and
hopelessness.”
Clergy sexual abuse is not
new, though it is becoming more and more prevalent in the news as of late. This
documentary is for victims who are searching for hope and answers, as well as
for the populace at large who wish to gain a greater understanding of the issue
or simply be inspired by a heartwarming testimony.
“It makes you
realize that God is bigger than any situation we have to endure."
The DVD retails for $15 and
is available at The Hope of Survivors website at:
http://www.thehopeofsurvivors.com/products.asp
The
Hope of Survivors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping
victims of pastoral sexual abuse and misconduct, as well as providing
educational and informational materials and seminars to pastors and churches
worldwide. To learn more, please visit our web site,
http://www.TheHopeOfSurvivors.com, or call (866) 260-8958.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Annette Anderson, (866) 260-8958; Email: Annette@TheHopeOfSurvivors.com
3/23/11—Effingham, IL: August Designated as Clergy Sexual Abuse Awareness & Prevention Month!
The Hope of Survivors has designated August as Clergy Sexual Abuse Awareness & Prevention Month. Clergy sexual abuse is a prevalent problem in every denomination around the globe. “It’s time to raise awareness to a greater level,” says Samantha Nelson, Vice President & CEO. “The Hope of Survivors works with victims from around the world, and the story is basically the same: no one, unless they’ve been affected by it themselves or know someone who has, really understands clergy sexual abuse.”
One of The Hope of Survivors’ primary goals, beyond providing support to victims of sexual abuse by anyone in the role of spiritual authority, is raising awareness of the issue and educating clergy, church members and the public at large. Samantha continues, “Until more people understand that a sexual relationship between a pastor and a member of his congregation is not an “affair”—that it is abuse—there will be more victims and more secondary trauma to victims via misinformed church members, media, etc. It’s time for the church, as well as the public, to closely examine these types of relationships, which are not only imbalanced in nature, but also non-consensual.”
“Changing public and congregant perceptions is key. Most people will clearly recognize that a therapist or doctor should not have sex with a patient. That’s an abuse of power. A boss can’t make sexual advances to an employee. That’s sexual harassment. Why, then, is it so difficult for people to comprehend that a spiritual leader—who has been called to protect, nurture and guide—who takes advantage of his/her position to groom, seduce and, ultimately, abuse a member of the congregation is committing sexual abuse? The imbalance of power is evident, as is the added component and complication of the spiritual welfare of the victim.”
To kick off this inaugural Clergy Sexual Abuse Awareness & Prevention Month, The Hope of Survivors has several events planned during August, including: exhibiting at the ASI Convention in Sacramento, CA; participating in Prime 11 Cinemas Monday Night Sponsorship Program in Redding, CA; conducting a Hope & Healing victim’s conference in Indianapolis, IN; and much more to come! See the calendar for details: http://www.thehopeofsurvivors.com/calendar.asp.
The Hope of Survivors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping victims of pastoral sexual abuse and misconduct, as well as providing educational and informational materials and seminars to pastors and churches worldwide. To learn more, please visit our web site, http://www.TheHopeOfSurvivors.com, or call (866) 260-8958.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Samantha Nelson, (866) 260-8958
Email: Help@TheHopeOfSurvivors.com; Web: http://www.TheHopeOfSurvivors.com
4/6/11 – Effingham, IL: Hope & Healing Conference in Indianapolis, IN!
The Hope of Survivors will host a Hope & Healing Conference at the Holiday Inn Express—Indianapolis Airport located at 6296 Cambridge Way in Plainfield, Indiana, on Sunday, August 28, 2011, from 9:00am-4:00pm.
The purpose of the conference is to provide information and support to those who have been abused by members of the clergy (of any denomination). The conference is primarily for adult female victims of clergy sexual abuse and their spouses, however, anyone who desires to learn more about clergy sexual abuse and prevention is welcome to attend. Advance registration is required. Space is limited, so please register now at: http://www.TheHopeOfSurvivors.com/registration.asp. Registration deadline is 8/17/11. Additional details are available on the registration form.
Topics Include: What is clergy/pastoral sexual abuse? How does this happen? Is there an imbalance? Who is vulnerable? What are the vulnerabilities? Why is this not an affair? How do we prevent this? Where is God? How to start over? How should the church respond? And much more!
The Hope of Survivors is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to helping victims of pastoral sexual abuse and misconduct, as well as providing educational and informational materials and seminars to pastors and churches worldwide. Professional memberships include: Adventist-laymen’s Services & Industries (ASI), Outpost Centers International (OCI), and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC).
To learn more, please visit our web site, http://www.TheHopeOfSurvivors.com, or call (866) 260-8958.
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