Learn about spiritual abuse

Some examples of spiritual abuse:

• being manipulated or exploited, i.e. being used for your time, money, loyalty, work, or body in ways which are unfair to you
• being pressured to be accountable, e,.g. being expected to tell people in your group everything about your thoughts, feelings or actions
• having your decisions controlled, e.g. having people in the group telling you what decisions you should or shouldn’t make, rather than being encouraged to make decisions for yourself (having your decisions controlled)
• being made to keep secrets or stay silent, e.g. being told not tell other people about things that worry you about the group or you will face consequences
• being coerced into their ways, e.g. being pressured into behaving in certain ways which the group tells you is right. 
• being controlled through religious teaching or scriptures, e.g. being told that things you don’t want to do or which are harmful are the right thing based on holy writings or spiritual ideas. 
• being pressured into obeying your abuser, e.g. being told that you have to obey the people who are harming you otherwise you will face consequences. 
• being told that your abuser has divine authority, e.g. being told that the person or people harming you are untouchable, so it is wrong or useless to resist them. 
• being isolated as punishment, e.g. being cut off, ignored or gossiped about if you don’t obey what the group says. 
• believing they are elite or superior, e.g. people in the group believing they are the only ones who know the truth, or somehow better than any other group or religion.

Spiritual Abuse: Coercive Control in a Religious Setting

The Impact of Spiritual Abuse: Coercive Control in a Religious Setting

The Journey Towards Living Well with your Experience

Emotional Health, Wellbeing and Self Care

Building Resilience and Avoiding Future Trauma and Abuse