The term spiritual abuse can be, to some extent, controversial. However, what is not in doubt is that there are some situations where behaviours need to be addressed. The language matters, but tackling the issues matters more and definitions can change over time.
Defining Spiritual Abuse
- Spiritual abuse is a form of emotional and psychological abuse. It is characterised by a systematic pattern of coercive and controlling behaviour in a religious context. Spiritual abuse can have a deeply damaging impact on those who experience it.
- This abuse may include:
- manipulation and exploitation,
- enforced accountability,
- censorship of decision making,
- requirements for secrecy and silence,
- coercion to conform,
- control through the use of sacred texts or teaching,
- requirement of obedience to the abuser,
- the suggestion that the abuser has a ‘divine’ position,
- isolation as a means of punishment, and
- superiority and elitism’ (Oakley, 2018)
This definition of spiritual abuse was developed from research conducted from 2001 onwards. The term 'spiritual abuse' is used by survivors and at present is the most widely recognised, and so it is the term used here. The term will remain under review, but, whatever terminology is used about spiritual abuse, it refers to behaviours that need to be recognised and addressed.
A key point to note is that we are not arguing for a separate category of abuse, as it share common characteristics with other forms of emotional and psychological abuse.
Spiritual Abuse Awareness Training
To explore this further, a Spiritual Abuse Awareness course has been developed by the Methodist Church Safeguarding Team, Learning Network and Survivors Group in conjunction with Dr Lisa Oakley, Chester University and Thirtyone:eight.
The 'Spiritual Abuse Awareness' course above draws on the material in the book below and covers what spiritual abuse is, the impact of the experience, the features of a good response and building healthy cultures.
We will be offering at least 3 online training sessions each year.
Bookings will be via Eventbrite.
Please watch out for information about the next courses as places are booked up quickly.
For more information:
Spiritual Abuse Resources
Book
The book 'Escaping the maze of spiritual abuse' by Dr Lisa Oakley and Justin Humphreys is highly recommended :
Support for survivors
The Methodist Church is strongly committed to supporting survivors of abuse of any kind and especially abuse that occurred within a church context. The Survivors’ Advisory group has worked to help the church reflect on what needs to change in its culture in order to make it a truly safe space. For more details see Survivor Resources
Charity for Action on Spiritual Abuse
Action on Spiritual Abuse is are an independent charity which supports those who have experienced abuse and trauma within faith. Visit their website for survivor and supporter resources around the issue of spiritual abuse - coercive control in a religious setting.
Their website is currently out of action (23/07/25), but you can contact them via their Facebook page: