The Survivors Handbook
We’ve created this comprehensive guide to help survivors navigate the journey of recovery.
The Survivors Handbook is aimed at supporting survivors on their journey to recovery. Its been written with a particular emphasis for Christian women, who can sometimes feel like they need to choose between their faith and their freedom. We believe it’s possible to have both.
The handbook contains contributions from 14 authors, each a specialist in their field. They include Louisa Whitney, a specialist in family law, Professor Ally Kern, who specialises in relating theology to survivors of domestic abuse, and Betsy de Thierry, CEO of the Trauma Recovery Centre.
Many sections apply to any survivor of abuse whatever their faith background, but the final section is aimed at helping Christians to navigate some common questions about faith. The handbook is divided into three themes:
This section includes guidance on legal protective orders and the divorce process, managing finances, and other intersecting factors like pregnancy, immigration status and disability.
Find advice for supporting children through trauma, managing your mental and physical health, and establishing boundaries.
The final section of the handbook answers some common questions asked by survivors of faith, such as ‘What does the Bible say about domestic abuse?’, ‘Is it Biblical to divorce an abusive Partner?’, and ‘Do I need to forgive them?’.
Request a free handbook
If you’re a survivor of domestic abuse, fill out this form and we’ll send you a copy of the handbook for free. You can request a paperback copy or a PDF version.
Purchase a copy
The Survivors Handbook isn’t just helpful for survivors; it’s a brilliant resource for anyone to have on hand to give away to someone who might need it, or to help you get an insight into what it’s really like to leave an abusive relationship. Why not get a copy or two to have at home, or to keep in your church library?
Australian Handbook
Anglicare Australia have produced a version of the Survivors Handbook contextualised for Australia. You can request or purchase a copy over on their website.