By Teo Van Der Weele
Monarch Publications
309 pages £8.99
ISBN 1 85424 261 X
This book offers an alternative to traditional secular forms of counselling, such as psychotherapy, by taking as its subject matter the pastoral counselling and care of the sexually abused. The author draws upon his vast experience as a missionary counsellor in Asia and Europe, and throughout the book combines clinical and Biblical insights to provide a detailed and practical guide to survivors, helpers and the Church, on how to deal with sexual abuse.
A wide variety of issues are covered within this book, including concepts of and definitions of child sexual abuse, dealing with painful memories, 'Where is God in all the suffering?', and crossing 'cultural barriers' (the 'culture of the sexually abused') to understand and counsel abuse survivors. It also deals with various practical issues such as the self image of survivors ('victim' or 'survivor'), and the rights and duties of believers with regards to abuse survivors (pastoral counsellors as a bridge to professional secular helpers).
The author writes in a simple and accessible style, drawing frequently on his personal, clinical and pastoral experiences, and the stories of abuse survivors, to provide a clear and readable guide to issues facing survivors and helpers within a Church environment. The book is aimed at a range of people, from abuse survivors, families and partners of survivors, church pastors, leaders and volunteers to secular helpers.
Fundamental to the author's approach to the pastoral counselling of abuse survivors is the concept of 'Powerful Peace'. This approach is rooted in the Biblical concept of 'The Hiding Place' (Psalm 91) and can be summarised as 'a divine enabling for both helpers and seekers to face reality, supported by an inner sense of security, through the presence of Jesus' (page 14).
Throughout this book, which is worth the read whether you fall into one of the 'categories' of people to which the book is mainly aimed or are simply concerned with contemporary issues facing individuals and the Church today, there is a message to the Church. The Church is reminded both of it historic failure to recognise and deal with sexual abuse, and of its moral responsibility to take measures to prevent abuse and help abuse survivors. The author calls for 'Biblical Realism' within a framework of hope. What the Bible shows us, he argues, is that there is nothing new in today's culture - abuse has been present throughout history. In the different times in which we now live, when each day seems to bring a new 'horror story' of abuse, and where abuse occurs within the Church as well as secular settings (think of the 'Nine O'Clock Service' at St. Thomas', Sheffield), Christians are called to face abuse as a Church with 'Biblical openness', and to bring survivors from shame to peace through Jesus Christ.
