I don’t remember exactly how I found out that my former pastor had been arrested for criminal sexual conduct against an adult. Did I see the article on Facebook? Did my husband send me the news before someone else could? I do remember how the news felt: the Read more
Tag: victim-survivors
As Wisconsin Clergy Abuse Investigation Begins, Survivors Respond with Hope—and Reservations
When Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul (pictured above) announced in Madison last week that he was launching a statewide investigation of sexual abuse by clergy and other…… Read more “As Wisconsin Clergy Abuse Investigation Begins, Survivors Respond with Hope—and Reservations”
Update: Dioceses and Parishes Consider Survivor-Centered Approaches to David Haas’s Music
When news broke last summer that dozens of women had accused popular Catholic composer David Haas of sexual abuse, some dioceses responded quickly, directing music ministers to…… Read more “Update: Dioceses and Parishes Consider Survivor-Centered Approaches to David Haas’s Music”
3 Tools that Can Help Victim-Survivors Heal
In the aftermath of sexual abuse, many victim-survivors struggle with their mental health, facing problems including anxiety, depression, substance abuse, and intimacy issues. As knowledge about trauma recovery has grown, mental health experts have developed Read more
The McCarrick Report: How Are Milwaukee Parishes Responding?
As Catholics grapple with the terrible revelations of the Vatican’s McCarrick Report, released on November 10, some Milwaukee-area parishes and pastors have made efforts to address the…… Read more “The McCarrick Report: How Are Milwaukee Parishes Responding?”
Q+A with Stephanie Delmore, New Victim Assistance Coordinator for Archdiocese of Milwaukee
In July, psychotherapist Stephanie Delmore began working as victim assistance coordinator (VAC) for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. She recently spoke with Awake Blog editor Erin O’Donnell about…… Read more “Q+A with Stephanie Delmore, New Victim Assistance Coordinator for Archdiocese of Milwaukee”
5 Ways the Catholic Church Can Build More “Institutional Courage”
In our work listening to victim-survivors of sexual abuse, we at Awake have heard many stories of people who told Church leaders about their abuse, only to face doubt, legal maneuvering, insensitivity, or worse Read more
These 3 Catholic Leaders Are Refreshingly Honest About Sexual Abuse in the Church
I am always seeking spaces where people of faith are willing to face the horrors of the past and recognize the need for ongoing transformation and healing. Sadly, these spaces seem few and far between, but Read more
Should We Sing David Haas’s Songs After He’s Been Accused of Sexual Abuse?
If you’ve attended a Catholic liturgy sometime in the last three decades, chances are that you’ve heard or sung a composition by David Haas. His songs include “We Are Called,” “Blest Are They,” “You Are Mine,” “Holy Is Your Name,” and “We Have Been Told,” to name just Read more
Awake’s Commitment to Understanding the Full Reality of Abuse in Adulthood
I have come to know many victim-survivors who have experienced abuse in adulthood. Many of these survivors are women in their 20s and 30s who had a deep faith that has been utterly Read more
