Fighting The Good Fight Healing And Advocacy After Clergy Sexual Assault Carolyn Waterstradt(1)

Studies show that up to 39 percent of clergy report having sexual contact with a congregant, but many are unaware this constitutes sexual assault and little has been written about what happens to victims after they have been sexually assaulted by a member of the clergy. Fighting the Good Fight gives voice to eighteen women who lived through the horror of such assault and records their journeys toward wholeness. These women represent three different religions and many denominations. Seven had, or were pursuing, religious careers at the time of their assaults. Seventeen are U.S. citizens, and one is an Arab living in the Middle East. One was assaulted by a clergywoman. Despite differences, the women face many of the same struggles and are finding healing in similar ways. Carolyn Waterstradt also recounts her own triumph over clergy sexual assault and shares how two survivors’ husbands, a survivor’s mother, a minister who counseled a survivor, and a woman belonging to a church led by an offender were impacted by such trauma. Most importantly, Carolyn offers the hope that healing is possible, and that if practical strategies are implemented by religious institutions, incidences of assault and the horrific aftermath can be greatly reduced.