All Abuse articles
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News AnalysisMike Pilavachi has been suspended from Soul Survivor. Here’s what we know so far
Soul Survivor Watford has suspended Mike Pilavachi as the investigation into safeguarding allegations against him continue. The Church has also suspended two other members of staff
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Opinion
Phillip Schofield: Sin, power and how to resist the urge to be a Pharisee
In the court of public opinion there is rarely room for forgiveness or redemption, observes Tim Farron MP
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Regular Columnists
How can you worship the God of the enslavers?
Q: When the rapper Jahaziel renounced his Christian faith, he listed a number of objections to belief, including “Christianity’s involvement in the slave trade”. He spoke about wanting to “return” to the religious traditions of his African ancestors. His story is representative of a large number of ...
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Real Life
I was abused by a deacon in my church. God helped me forgive AND seek justice
Forgiveness was not the end of the story for Cerys Morgan. She explains how God also led her to seek justice in her abuse case
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News Analysis
The Church of England's safeguarding crisis explained
Survivors are losing trust in the Church of England's ability to do justice in cases of abuse, while a leading bishop says his name has been unfairly “besmirched”. Rosie Dawson has the full story
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Opinion
Poor reporting on Soul Survivor is damaging for everyone - alleged victims included
Media coverage of Mike Pilavachi and Soul Survivor has lumped serious safeguarding allegations together with vague and nonsensical claims about the festival in general. It distracts from the allegations and does any potential victims no favours, says Tim Wyatt
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Magazine Features
Ravi Zacharias’ sins of sexual abuse went undetected for years. Here are the lessons the Church needs to learn
As an explosive new report into Ravi Zacharias International Ministries reveals the toxic culture that enabled an abuser to go undetected for years, Megan Cornwell looks at the lessons for the Church
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Magazine Features
I used to be Ravi Zacharias’ spokesperson. Here’s what I’ve learned about complicity and corruption
Ruth Malhotra was working as Ravi Zacharias’ spokesperson when abuse allegations were first made against the apologist. The revelations began a journey that would take her from spokesperson to whistleblower to advocate
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Testimonies
From domestic abuse to new creation
Autumn Miles was trapped in an abusive relationship, until a powerful encounter with God during the depth of her despair set her on a path to freedom
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News Analysis
Should church leaders be forced to break confidentiality and report abuse?
If the Government brings in mandatory reporting, church leaders would be legally bound to disclose any instances of abuse they hear about during Confession. Would the move bring necessary reform to protect society’s most vulnerable, or constitute unjust interference with religious freedom? Tim Wyatt speaks to those on both sides of the debate
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News Analysis
Is Shia LaBeouf’s conversion for real this time?
Ahead of the premiere of his new film, Padre Pio, Shia LeBeouf has claimed playing the saint rekindled his faith. Heather Tomlinson takes a closer look at what the actor told Bishop Robert Barron in the viral YouTube interview
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Real Life
‘I was abused for a decade and made to feel it was my fault’
As the damning report into the sexual exploitation of children in Telford is finally released, 20-year-old Samantha Smith shares her story of grooming and abuse, and how her faith is slowly helping her through it
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Magazine Features
Is complementarian theology abusive?
In the wake of abuse scandals and the #MeToo movement, Megan Cornwell asks: is it time for Christians to re-evaluate Church teaching on gender roles?
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Testimonies
‘I was abused in church. 20 years later, I found freedom at a men’s event’
Men’s events are often criticised for being overly macho but Carl Beech, leader of The Gathering, says they’re vital safe spaces. As they gathered together for the first time in three years, he shares one remarkable testimony from this year’s event
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Opinion
No, Mr Graham, the Church should never tell anyone to stay in an abusive marriage
Before a vicar finally called out her husband’s abuse, Anita Grant spent years believing she was to submit and forgive. Following claims i that Franklin Graham pressured a Christian woman to stay with her violent husband, Grant says the Church must do better in supporting victims
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Testimonies
From idol worship to Christian evangelist
Nia-Cerise Conteh explains how a surprise encounter with the Holy Spirit in her kitchen radically changed the trajectory of her life
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Reviews
Hillsong: A megachurch exposed
At its best, this three-part documentary on Hillsong Church exposes serious wrongdoing that should bring about repentance, reflection and change. But in dipping into sensationalism and dialling the cynicism up to 11, it becomes its own undoing, says Sam Hailes
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Opinion
The vilification of Amber Heard makes it harder for victims of domestic abuse to speak out
Christian communities often have unspoken ideas about how a domestic violence victim should present. As the Depp vs Heard trial concludes, assumptions and judgements are being amplified over social media, and this poses a real issue for victims, says Bekah Legg
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Opinion
‘We tried to tell you for years and years’: How the Southern Baptist Church woefully failed abuse survivors
For decades, sexual abuse in the largest US Protestant denomination, the Southern Baptist Convention, was covered up by church leaders. Survivors, many of whom were assaulted as children, were treated appallingly, says Rachael Denhollander, who has been working to hold SBC to account
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Opinion
Triggered by scripture? This version of the Bible could help you
While supporting survivors of abuse, pastor Mike Leake found Eugene Peterson’s The Message translation of the Bible instrumental in their healing journey
