Spiritual Abuse

Spiritual Abuse is not a category of abuse recognised in statutory guidance but is of concern both within and outside faith communities, including the Church (Protecting All God’s Children 2010, Church House 4th edition).

“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

Spiritual abuse can also occur within an intimate partner relationship.

Spiritual abuse is not limited to a certain religion or denomination. Any person, of any belief system, is capable of perpetrating spiritual abuse, just as anyone can be the victim of it. Signs of spiritual abuse between intimate partners include when an abusive partner:

• ridicules or insults the other person’s religious or spiritual beliefs
• prevents the other partner from practicing their religious or spiritual beliefs
• uses their partner’s religious or spiritual beliefs to manipulate or shame them
• forces the children to be raised in a faith that the other partner has not agreed to
• uses religious texts or beliefs to minimise or rationalise abusive behaviours

Spiritual abuse is no less harmful or difficult to endure than any other kind of abuse, as a person’s spiritual life is deeply personal. However, it can be very difficult to identify, as many victims may not recognise they are being abused. In addition, the abusive partner may claim that any challenge to the abuse is an assault on their own religious freedom.

Support for those who have experienced or been affected by Spiritual Abuse

Contact the RLSS and we will be able to support you with your worries or concerns