There are a variety of books about abuse, faith, and healing. I recommend searching for books at your local library or online if you have access to a safe computer that is not accessible by someone who is abusing you. Your local domestic violence organization may also be a good source of suggestions. You may search for books on domestic violence, in general, or search for a more specific topic that fits your experience, such as incest, abuse in marriage, abuse and lesbian relationships, abuse and women of color, recovery from financial abuse, etc. To begin, here are three general "classics" in the abuse field:

 

Herman, Judith, MD, Trauma and Recovery: The Aftermath of Violence--from Domestic Abuse to Political Terror. New York: Basic Books, 1997.

 

Walker, Lenore E. The Battered Woman. New York: Harper Collins, 1979.

 

Bass, Ellen, and Laura Davis. Courage to Heal: A Guide for Women Survivors of Child Sexual Abuse. New YOrk: Harper Collins, 1994.

 

The following represent some good books for dealing with the topic of faith and healing from both academic or personal perspectives:

 

Adams, Carol J. and Fortune, Marie M., et al. Violence Against Women and Children:  A Christian Theological Sourcebook. New York: Continuum, 1995.

 

Auer, Jim. Abuse: How Can I Be Safe Again? Liguori, MO: Liguori, 2006. 

(This is a book for children that contains a spiritual perspective)

 

Benvenga, Nancy. Healing the Wounds of Emotional Abuse: The Journey Worth the Risk. Meneola, NY: Resurrection Press, 1996.

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Boase, Elizabeth and Frechette, Christopher. Bible through the Lens of Trauma. SBL Press, 2016.

 

Brock, Rita Nakashima, and Parker, Rebecca Ann. Proverbs of Ashes: Violence, Redemptive Suffering, and the Search for What Saves Us. Boston: Beacon Press, 2002.

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Bouclin, Marie Evans. Seeking Wholeness: Women Dealing with Abuse of Power in the Catholic Church. Liturgical Press, 2006. (for women sexual abuse survivors)

 

Farley, Wendy. The Wounding and Healing of Desire: Weaving Heaven and Earth. Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox press, 2005.

 

Foote, Catherine. Survivor Prayers: Talking with God about Childhood Sexual Abuse. Louisville, KY: Westminster/John Knox Press, 1994.

 

Fortune, Marie. Keeping the Faith: Guidance for Christan Women Facing Abuse. San Francisco: HarperCollins, 1987.

 

Fortune, Marie. Love Does No Harm: Sexual Ethics for the Rest of Us. New York: Continuum, 1995. 

 

Galasso, Carmine. Crosses: Portraits of Clergy Abuse. London: Trolley, 2007.

 

Hanrahan, Maura. Spirit and Dust: Meditations for Women with Depression. Chicago: ACTA Publications, 2009.

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Heath, Elaine A. Healing the Wounds of Sexual Abuse: Reading the Bible with Survivors. Grand Rapids, MI: Brazos Press, 2011.

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Jones, Serene. Trauma and Grace: Theology in a Ruptured World. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009.

 

Leslie, Kristen J. When Violence is No Stranger: Pastoral Counseling with Survivors of Acquaintance Rape. Minneapolis: Augsburg Fortress Publishers, 2002.

 

Omilian, Susan M. The Thriver Workbook: Journey from Victim to Survivor to Thriver. West Hartford, CT: Butterfly Bliss Productions, 2010.

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Rambo, Shelly. Resurrecting Wounds: Living in the Afterlife of Trauma. Waco, TX: Baylor University Press, 2017.

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Rambo, Shelly. Spirit and Trauma: A Theology of Remaining. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox Press, 2010.

 

Sanford, Doris. I Can't Talk About It. Portland, OR: Multnomah Press, 1986.

(Book for Children who have experienced sexual abuse, contains spiritual perspective)

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Schmidt, Kenneth W. You have set us free: Scriptural Reflections for Trauma Survivors. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2016.

 

Schussler Fiorenza, Elisabeth, and Copeland, Mary Shawn, eds. Violence Against Women. Vol. 1. Maryknoll, NY: Concilium/Orbis Books, 1994.

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Sotelo, Nicole. Pray Your Way through Forgiveness: Reflections, Prayers, and Actions for Healing. New London, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 2020.

 

Sotelo, Nicole. Women Healing from Abuse: Meditations for Finding Peace. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2006.