Why Compassion for women?
Hello! My name is Julie. So why have I created ‘Compassion for women’? To use the ‘correct’ terminology, as a teenager, I had lived experience of sexual assault in my Christian faith community on more than one occasion.
Sexual abuse should not happen, but it does
It makes me very sad to hear about sexual assault and sexual abuse in the church or faith communities. Sexual assault and sexual abuse should not occur in church or faith communities, but then where should it happen? Nowhere! Unfortunately, it can and does happen anywhere, everywhere, and churches and faith communities are no exception, because people are everywhere.
I have set up ‘Compassion for women’ because if you are a women who has experienced sexual assault or sexual abuse anywhere, but especially within the context of church or faith community, because that was my context, I want you to know that you are not alone, it hasn’t just happened to you, it’s not your fault and it’s not God’s fault either.
What I believe
I believe in an all-powerful, almighty, loving God of justice and compassion. God made us all with free-will. We all make bad choices at times, all humans do. Some bad choices have more long-lasting and devastating impact for others. The assault or abuse you experienced was the perpetrators bad choice; the blame, shame and secrecy should be theirs, not yours and not God’s.
What I want you to know
I also want you to know that there is a way back, through God’s healing power, love, mercy, grace and redemption. He is a God who sees, responds to our cries of distress, and rescues us. I was going to add that He restores us, but He does even better than that, we can be recreated in Him. So I urge you to turn to God and not away from Him, while knowing how incredibly difficult this is. I’ve tried both, and turning towards Him works out much better, even though it goes against our instincts after such a traumatic experience.
The journey back to a place where you feel safe, loved and at peace can be a long one. I don’t recommend that to attempt this journey on your own. Do take this journey with God, family, friends and professionals, don’t stay where you are or try to find your way alone. Be patient and kind to yourself and look to God to set the pace. I hope and pray that by sharing my story and what I have learnt along the way, I can support and encourage you in your journey to recovery and redemption.