by Lyz Lenz
First published 2021
Emily Joy Allison's decision to name her abuser on Twitter created #ChurchToo, a movement that exposed widespread sexual abuse across American Christian denominations. Lenz examines how patriarchy and misogyny operate differently within religious institutions, where leaders have long claimed that sexually dysfunctional environments reflect God's will. The book investigates the roots of sexualized violence in religious settings and explains why such abuse proves both common and particularly damaging to victims. Lenz argues that the combination of sexual shame, secrecy, and institutional control creates unique trauma for survivors. She also presents multiple approaches for healing from religious sexual dysfunction and offers pathways for assault survivors to reclaim full, healthy lives free from the constraints of harmful church culture.
Genres: abuse, gender-studies, feminism, christianity, church-history, activism
Vibes: dark, intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: investigative-journalism, social-commentary
Setting: America, Christian Denominations
Period: Contemporary
254 pages · Kindle Edition · Broadleaf Books
Content warnings: abuse, sexual-assault