*trigger warning* - Religious (child) Abuse

Please be aware of reading this post, the post might be extremely triggering!

There are a lot of different types of abuse, some to where we might not be aware of, this includes Religious (spiritual) abuse.

If this type of abuse is talked about at all, most of the examples of religious abuse refers to a religious elder or faith leader inflicting abuse on their members, usually by creating a toxic culture within the group by shaming or controlling members by using the power of their position. However religious abuse can also happen within a relationship or family.

Religious abuse is not limited to a certain religion. Any person of any believe system is capable of perpetrating religious abuse. Just as anyone can be a victim of it.

Signs of religious abuse between a partner includes when a partner:

· ridicules or insults the other person’s religious or spiritual beliefs

· prevents the other partner from practicing their religious or spiritual beliefs

· uses their partner’s religious or spiritual beliefs to manipulate or shame them

· forces the children to be raised in a faith that the other partner has not agreed to

· uses religious texts or beliefs to minimize or rationalise abusive behaviours (such as physical, sexual, emotional abuse)

Types of abuse within religious abuse:

· Psychological abuse/ emotional abuse

· Physical abuse

· Sexual abuse

· Any act by deeds or words that shame or diminish the dignity of a person

· Intimidation

· Controlling

· Isolation

· Enforced practice of religion

Psychological manipulation: harm that is inflicted on a person by using the teachings of their religion. This is perpetrated by members of the same or similar faith and includes the use of a position within the religion. It’s usually directed at children and emotionally vulnerable adults and motivations behind such abuse vary.

Physical abuse: Physical abuse in a religious context can take forms of beatings and neglect.

Against children: Religious based abuse of children can involve using teachings to subjugate children through fear, or forcing them to have a certain religion and suppressing other perspectives, or punishing them for not “believing”

Religious abuse can have a long term psychological consequences such as the victim developing phobias or long term depression. They may also experience a sense of shame that continues even after they leave the religion. A person can also be manipulated into avoiding a beneficial action (such as medical treatment) or to show certain behaviours.