Resources:
Healing From Sexual Abuse
Find Focus on the Family broadcasts, best-in-class books,
referral recommendations, and more.
Are You Really OK? by Debra Fileta
We tend to assume (and act like) we’re okay — until we’re not. Licensed counselor Debra Fileta challenges you to get real with who you are and how you’re doing spiritually, emotionally, mentally, and physically. She offers encouragement for recognizing the influences of past traumas – and insights for replacing unhealthy perspectives with God’s truth.
Caring for Sexually Abused Children: A Handbook for Families & Churches by R. Timothy Kearney
Parental support is a crucial factor in a child’s successful recovery following sexual abuse. But supportive adults in the Church also play an important role. Learn a practical, proactive approach to recognizing and responding to this heartrending hurt.
Changes That Heal by Dr. Henry Cloud
Discover four important steps to break free from a difficult past, learn to experience true healing, and find renewed strength to move forward in life.
Complete Guide to Baby & Child Care: From Pre-Birth Through the Teen Years by Focus on the Family
Learn to meet children’s specific needs and create an environment where they can thrive. In addition to basic information on child-rearing, chapters also address physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse, and neglect.
Door of Hope: Recognizing & Resolving the Pains of Your Past by Jan Frank
As a victim of incest, Frank understands the emotions with which abuse victims struggle. Learn the symptoms and negative traits of abuse, and how to establish a healthy self-image and a right relationship with God and others.
God Made All of Me: A Book to Help Children Protect Their Bodies by Justin and Lindsey Holcomb
A simply told, beautifully illustrated story to help families talk about sensitive issues with two- to eight-year-old children. The book equips parents to talk with both boys and girls about their bodies and to help them understand the difference between the appropriate and inappropriate touch of others.
Mending the Soul: Understanding & Healing Abuse by Steven Tracy
Tracy discusses the effects of physical, verbal, sexual, and spiritual abuse—as well as strategies for prevention and recovery.
Mending the Soul: Student Edition by Steven Tracy and Celestia Tracy
This teenage edition of Mending the Soul was written to show teens that by following a path of restoration and allowing God’s grace to touch their heart’s deepest wounds, they will find hope and healing as they work through their pain.
On the Threshold of Hope by Diane Mandt Langberg, Ph.D.
“Opening the Door to Healing for Survivors of Sexual Abuse”
Stolen: The True Story of a Sex Trafficking Survivor by Katariina Rosenblatt, PhD
A harrowing personal account that shows there is real hope for the victims of sex trafficking. Stolen is more than a warning. It is a celebration of survival that will inspire.
Unshackled: Finding God’s Freedom From Trauma by Dr. Elizabeth Stevens
Stevens uses her unique perspective as both a trauma survivor (including multiple sexual assaults) and a professional psychiatrist to help other victims learn to heal from their experiences so that they can experience the abundant life God has for them.
When a Man You Love Was Abused by Cecil Murphey
“A Woman’s Guide to Helping Him Overcome Childhood Sexual Molestation”
When a Woman You Love Was Abused by Dawn Scott Jones (not currently available through Focus on the Family)
“A Husband’s Guide to Helping Her Overcome Childhood Sexual Molestation”
The Wounded Heart by Dan Allender, Ph.D.
“Hope for Adult Victims of Childhood Sexual Abuse”
• The Wounded Heart Companion Workbook
Abuse: One Survivor’s Story (Michael Reagan)
Digital Download – Purchase a CD
As a child, Reagan’s history of illegitimacy and adoption led him to hate God and himself—and being sexually molested by a camp counselor only increased his despair. But his healing and salvation came when he surrendered everything to God. And with the support of his wife, Reagan began to forgive those who had hurt him and to understand the depth of Christ’s love.
Finding God’s Healing for Sexual Brokenness (Sy Rogers, deceased)
Purchase a CD – Watch on YouTube Part 1 and Part 2
Sy Rogers suffered through a childhood marked by molestation and loss, which led to teen years of gay promiscuity and a brush with transgenderism. But his whole life changed when he discovered that God wanted to be his loving Father.
Finding Healing From Sexual Assault (Leila Sommerfeld and Kathleen Terrill)
Digital download – Purchase a CD – Watch on YouTube Part 1 and Part 2
Sommerfeld and Terrill are both survivors of rape. They vulnerably describe what happened and the years of fear, depression, and devastation they experienced. But both women felt God drawing them into a relationship of healing and reconciliation.
Finding True Healing From Trauma (Dr. Elizabeth Stevens)
Digital download – Purchase a CD – Watch on YouTube
Dr. Elizabeth Stevens was a high-achieving psychiatrist in the U.S. Air Force. Her work came to an abrupt halt when she was debilitated by a traumatic brain injury and a series of other traumatic events (including multiple sexual assaults) which caused PTSD. In this conversation, Dr. Stevens offers hope to those who are bound by the pain of trauma and describes how spiritual healing was the turning point in her recovery.
God’s Hope for Wounded Hearts (Dan Allender, Ph.D.)
Digital download
Even in the Christian community, we often avoid discussing topics that cast doubt on God’s faithfulness and care—but doing so can make sexual abuse difficult to acknowledge. Allender shares from his own past to encourage others to bring their wounded souls to the Lord for healing, and to learn how to share their hearts with others.
Healing the Wounds of Childhood Sexual Abuse (Lisa Harper)
Digital download
Lisa was abused as a young child. Despite having a successful ministry when she reached adulthood, she unconsciously continued to live with the shame of her history. But through Christian counseling, a deep trust in the Lord, and forgiving those who harmed her, she experienced true healing.
Helping Your Husband Overcome Childhood Sexual Abuse (Cecil Murphey, Gary Roe)
Digital download
Murphey and Roe, both survivors of childhood sexual abuse, tell others that there is hope. Marriage is possible, but wives need to know they’re not responsible for their husband’s healing.
Helping Your Wife Overcome Childhood Sexual Abuse (Dawn Scott Jones)
Digital download
Dawn’s father molested her from age 12 through 17, and her first marriage ended after 28 years – ultimately due to her inability to be intimate and her husband’s infidelity and abandonment. She cautions that the husband is a second victim when his wife has been abused. Learn how you can help a spouse in the healing process.
Overcoming Childhood Neglect and Abuse (Sy Rogers, deceased)
Digital Download – Purchase a CD – Watch on YouTube
If you suffered some type of abuse as a child, chances are those wounds still need God’s healing touch. The late Pastor Sy Rogers recounts the emotional and relational impact of a childhood marked by molestation and loss, and powerfully emphasizes the restoration found in Jesus Christ.
Transformed: Overcoming My Dark Past (Marilyn Williams)
Digital download
Williams suffered sexual abuse at the hands of her father, grandfather, and their friends from an early age. Desperate for help, she confided in a high school counselor, which led to the prosecution of her father—but he was returned to the home. Her college dreams died, and she became socially afraid, eventually displaying multiple personality disorder. But she married a good man, and God restored her peace.
What to Do When You’re Not Okay (Debra Fileta)
Digital Download – Purchase a CD – Watch on YouTube Part 1 and Part 2
Debra Fileta discusses the importance of self-examination and offers guidance for assessing your mental, physical, and spiritual health so that you can walk a path toward healing and wholeness. She addresses trauma and talks about the need to seek professional help when dealing with anxiety, depression, and panic attacks.
Focus on the Family Counseling Consultation Line
If you need someone to talk to, Focus on the Family offers a free phone counseling consultation with a licensed or pastoral counselor. Call 1-855-771-HELP (4357), Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 8:00 PM (MT).
Focus on the Family’s Christian Counselor Network
Search for licensed Christian counselors in your area.
Embrace Grace
This non-profit seeks to “empower churches across the nation to be a safe and non-judging place for the girls to run to when they find out they are pregnant, instead of the last place they are welcomed because of shame and guilt.”
Mercy Multiplied
This organization offers hope and healing for young women seeking freedom from life-controlling problems such as depression, drug and alcohol addictions, eating disorders, and physical and sexual abuse.
National Center for Missing & Exploited Children
This group assists parents, children, law enforcement officials, schools, and communities in recovering missing children and raising public awareness about ways to help prevent child abduction, molestation, and sexual exploitation.
Open Hearts Ministry, Inc.
This Christian organization comes alongside those who’ve been abused to help them find wholeness in Christ.
Prevent Child Abuse America
This secular non-profit organization works with local, state, and national groups to promote healthy parenting and community involvement as effective strategies for preventing child abuse.
Referrals to secular organizations dealing with specialized areas of knowledge shouldn’t be read as an indication that their stances necessarily align with Focus on the Family’s perspective in all areas.
