Preventing Spiritual Abuse

Spiritual abuse has come into focus, in more recent times, as a distinct form of abuse. It involves the use of religious or spiritual authority to manipulate people, control their thoughts, or enable other forms of abuse. The number of cases in church settings is considerable – and the consequences for those affected are serious.

This makes it even more important not to ignore or trivialise spiritual abuse. The Church and society must find ways to take those affected seriously, offer support and develop effective prevention and intervention measures. This book offers sound guidance by bringing together perspectives from psychology, canon law, theology and law. It clarifies key terms and provides definitions.

By incorporating psychological findings, it raises awareness of dangerous power structures in organisations and systems. At the same time, it highlights which intervention approaches are most helpful. Examples and experiences from prevention work provide valuable insights for counselling those affected. A separate section with recommendations for action for those responsible offers a practical summary. This makes the book an indispensable guide for prevention and intervention in the ecclesiastical environment.