Spiritual abuse in Christian faith settings: definition, policy and practice guidance
| Date | 13 August 2018 |
| Published date | 13 August 2018 |
| Pages | 144-154 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/JAP-03-2018-0005 |
| Author | Lisa Oakley,Kathryn Kinmond,Justin Humphreys |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Vulnerable groups,Adult protection,Safeguarding,Sociology,Sociology of the family,Abuse |
Spiritual abuse in Christian faith settings:
definition, policy and practice guidance
Lisa Oakley, Kathryn Kinmond and Justin Humphreys
Abstract
Purpose –A previous publication in this journal reported the findings of a 2013 survey into people’s
experiences of membership of a Christian church in the UK (author citation removed for the purposes of
review). A major finding of this survey was that many people said they had been “harmed”by their experience
with some labelling it as “Spiritual Abuse”(SA). Respondents in the 2013 study also stressed the importance
of developing safeguarding policy and practice in this area. The purpose of this paper is to explore the
findings of a more extensive survey conducted in 2017 which aims to identify people’s understanding of SA
some four years after the initial work and within a context of some discussion and uncertainty around the term
itself. The study also aims to assess the current status of safeguarding policy and practice in SA perpetrated
against individuals in the Christian church in the UK. A secondary aim of the study is to ascertain how far
understandings, policy and practice have developed since the initial survey was conducted. It is emphasised
that the authors do not assert that SA is perpetrated solely in the Christian church. However, as this is their
personal religious background it is the focus of this work.
Design/methodology/approach –A mixed methods online survey of Christians, Church attendees and
members of Christian organisations was conducted in 2017. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics,
inductive thematic and content analysis.
Findings –A clear definition of SA is required. There is an ongoing need to develop policy and practice in the
area of SA in order to respond effectively to those who have these harmful experiences.
Research limitations/implications –This work has been conducted within the Christian faith community
and thus, represents only this faith context. Accordingly, it is research with a specific group. The work would
usefully be expanded to other faith contexts.
Practical implications –People are still being harmed by experiences in the Christian church. Safeguarding
policy and practice in the area of spiritual abuse needs to be developed in the immediate future.
Social implications –Those working in statutory agencies, faith and community contexts need to develop
an understanding of SA.
Originality/value –This is the largest survey conducted on the topic of SA in the Christian faith to date
in the UK.
Keywords Practice, Policy, Faith, Abuse, Christianity, Spiritual
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
This paper presents the findings of a recent survey into people’s experiences in Church, looking
specifically at the issue of Spiritual Abuse (SA). The study aims to identify people’s understanding
of SA within a context of discussion and uncertainty around the term itself. The study also aims to
assess the current status of safeguarding policy and practice in SA in the Christian church. The
current paper follows on from earlier work (Oakley and Kinmond, 2014) which reported findings
of a more general survey that explored people’s experiences of being a member of a Christian
church in the UK in a context of issues of safeguarding and policy. In total 502 people aged
between 18 to over 70 years, from a wide range of church denominations, completed this initial
survey. An unexpected finding in the first survey was the level of harm respondents reported
having experienced in church membership, with 75 per cent reporting feeling “damaged”.
Some respondents named their experiences as SA. Most respondents were uncertain how to
Received 7 March 2018
Revised 30 May 2018
Accepted 4 June 2018
Lisa Oakley is Senior Lecturer
at the Faculty of Social
Science, University o f Chester,
Chester, UK.
Kathryn Kinmond is
Psychologist, Therapist and
Academic at the Steps SA,
Stafford, UK.
Justin Humphreys is CEO at
the CCPAS, Swanley, UK.
PAGE144
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THE JOURNAL OF ADULT PROTECTION
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VOL. 20 NO. 3/4 2018, pp. 144-154, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 1466-8203 DOI 10.1108/JAP-03-2018-0005
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