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Sexual Trauma

“Life is a journey. We all know that life is a journey, along different roads, different paths, which leave their mark on us. We also know in faith that Jesus seeks us out. He wants to heal our wounds, to soothe our feet that hurt from traveling alone, to wash us clean of the dust from our journey … Jesus comes to meet us so he can restore our dignity as children of God. He wants to help us set out again, to resume our journey, to recover our hope, to restore our faith and trust … to all of us he stretches out a helping hand.” – Pope Francis

 

If you have survived a traumatic experience, these resources may assist you in the journey of recovery and provide practical tools to care for yourself and your loved ones.

Help & Healing

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National Sexual Assault Hotline

Call 800.656.HOPE (4673) to be connected with a trained staff member from a sexual assault service provider in your area.

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Text on a gradient background reads: "Not Alone. A Christ-centered recovery process for women who have experienced physical, emotional or sexual trauma." The text is in gold and centered.

Not Alone

Anne Richardson is a Christian spiritual director in San Diego who leads Not Alone small groups, a Christ-centered recovery process for women who have experienced physical, emotional, or sexual trauma. She also leads workshops and provides spiritual direction to accompany survivors of emotional or sexual trauma.

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Your Safe Place: A Family Justice Center

Your Safe Place provides free services to adults, seniors, children, and teens who have or are experiencing sexual assault or sex trafficking (or domestic violence, family violence, or elder abuse) regardless of age, gender, income, and
immigration status.

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A circular logo featuring a flaming red heart, surrounded by thorns and topped with a cross and sword. The text around the heart reads "Children of the Immaculate Heart" at the top and "Established in 2018" at the bottom. The background is teal.

Children of the Immaculate Heart

Children of the Immaculate Heart (CIH) serves survivors of sex trafficking and opens the door to their restoration in Jesus Christ. CIH offer a housing and rehabilitation program for adult women and their children, as well as a newly licensed short-term residential treatment facility for minors.

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The text "Beyond Trauma" is written in blue above the phrase "A Catholic Guide for Spiritual First Aid" in gray, separated by a small pink emblem.

“Beyond Trauma: A Catholic Guide for Spiritual First Aid”

This booklet, available as a free download, is intended to help survivors of trauma with practical ways to care for yourself and your loved ones, as well as recovering emotionally and spiritually from the trauma experienced.

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Diocesan Therapists Network

Please contact the Office for Family Life & Spirituality (858-490-8256) or your local parish for referrals for therapists who specialize in trauma recovery and are comfortable integrating faith and spirituality into their practice.

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Text on a maroon background reads "Diocese of San Diego" in bold white letters, with "Safe in Our Diocese" beneath it in smaller font.

Resources For Those Affected By Abuse

Our Diocesan Victims Assistance Coordinator maintains a list of resources for those affected by abuse, as well as providing assistance to those affected by clergy abuse.

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1in6.org

The mission of 1in6 is to help men who have had unwanted or abusive sexual experiences live healthier, happier lives.

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A religious figure is depicted with a halo, wearing a blue robe and holding palm fronds. White lilies surround the figure against a serene background.

Maria Goretti Network

The Maria Goretti Network reaches out to all those affected by abuse, to survivors and victims, their families and those who support their recovery, with God’s love as witnessed in the life of Maria Goretti.

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Book cover titled "My Peace I Give You: Healing Sexual Wounds with the Help of the Saints" by Dawn Eden. The cover features a teal background with a swirling white line that resembles a path leading upward.

“My Peace I Give You: Healing Sexual Wounds with the Help of the Saints”

This book, by Dawn Eden, shows how the lives of the saints can offer hope and help along the journey of spiritual healing after an experience of childhood sexual abuse.

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The cover of "Veronica's Veil" features a blue-toned image of a draped fabric and a rosary, with text detailing the book's title and authors.

“Veronica’s Veil: Spiritual Companionship for Survivors of Abuse”

This book, by Rev. Lewis Fiorelli and T. Pitt Green, offers spiritual support to a growing number of adults who wish to integrate their Christian faith into the arduous psychological recovery from child abuse by persons in authority.

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A book cover titled "Glimmers of Grace," featuring blurred, glowing candles in the background. The author's name, Faith Hakesley, is written at the bottom.

“Glimmers of Grace: Moments of Peace and Healing Following Sexual Abuse”

The author, Faith Hakesley, a survivor of clergy sexual abuse, shares what she has learned about the gifts God wants to give victims throughout their journey of healing.

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Ministry Resources

A person with long dark hair covers their face with both hands. They are wearing a black sleeveless top and have red nail polish and a silver ring. The background is a neutral-colored curtain.

“Not Alone: Transforming Trauma and Accompanying Survivors” Part Two of “Not Alone,” by Anne Richardson, is written specifically for priests, pastors, ministry leaders, family and friends who wish to help and accompany trauma survivors on their healing journey, offering insightful and practical tips.

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Close-up of a person's eye and part of their face, showing detailed skin texture and reflections in the pupil. The lighting creates a dramatic contrast.

Childhood National Child Abuse Hotline (1-800-4-A-Child): This is a number that everyone in ministry should memorize. Any person can anonymously report known or suspected child abuse to the hotline and they will contact appropriate local investigative authorities
within 24 hours.

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A group of four people stand on a sandy beach, facing the ocean, with arms around each other. The sky is overcast and the ocean waves appear gentle.

RAINN Family and Friends Toolkit This free download developed by the nation’s largest anti-sexual violence organization offers tips and suggestions to family and friends on how to support loved ones after sexual violence.

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A person with shoulder-length hair stands against a brick wall in a dimly lit alleyway, looking down.

National Sexual Violence Resource Center: Provides research and tools to advocates working on the frontlines to end sexual harassment, assault, and abuse.

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People raising their hands in a dark, indoor setting as spotlight shines from above.

“Reflections on how the Church can Improve its Pastoral Care to Victims of Sexual Trauma,” from Dawn Eden, author of “My Peace I Give You: Healing Sexual Wounds with the Help of the Saints.”

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A person sitting indoors with hands on their face, silhouetted against wooden blinds. Candles and decorative items are visible on the window ledge.

“When a Man You Loved Was Abused” a woman’s guide to helping him overcome childhood sexual molestation, by Cecil Murphey:



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A person kneels in silhouette against a bright sunrise or sunset by a misty lake, surrounded by tall grasses and trees.

Prayer for Healing Victims of Abuse, from
the USCCB.

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Two people sitting on a couch, leaning towards each other. One rests their forehead on their hand, and the other has clasped hands, both appear contemplative. A large window with checkered curtains is in the background.

Catholic Response to Sexual and Domestic Violence: This report was compiled by the USCCB to raise awareness of resources and strategies in place in the Church as well as to highlight areas that need further attention.

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Contact Information

Staff

  • Director: John Prust
  • Associate Director: Janelle Peregoy
  • Associate Director: Wendy Baez
  • Administrative Assistant: Vivian Toscano

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Catholic Diocese of San Diego

About the Coat of Arms

Bishop Pulido’s coat of arms is divided into four quarters with wavy horizontal lines from top to bottom. The blue and white lines represent the Blessed Virgin Mary. They also suggest water, which alludes to Jesus washing the feet of His disciples and to the waters of baptism. The red and gold lines represent the Holy Spirit and fire. The colors also can be seen as referring to the Blood that (along with water) poured from Jesus’ side at His crucifixion, as well as to the bread (gold) and wine (red) transformed into the Eucharist. At the center is a roundel featuring a symbolic representation of the “mandatum” (washing of the feet), which he believes exemplifies service to all humanity. The roundel’s outer edge is a line composed of small humps; it is borrowed from the coat of arms of the Diocese of Yakima, where Bishop Pulido served as a priest before being named a bishop.

About the Coat of Arms

Bishop Pham’s coat of arms depicts a red boat on a blue ocean, which is crisscrossed by diagonal lines suggesting a fisherman’s net. This symbolizes his ministry as a “fisher of men,” as well as how his own father had been a fisherman. The boat is also a symbol of the Church, which is often referred to as the “barque of Peter.” At the center of the sail is a red beehive (a symbol of the bishop’s baptismal patron saint, St. John Chrysostom, who was known as a “honey-tongued” preacher). The beehive is surrounded by two green palm branches (an ancient symbol of martyrdom; the bishop’s ancestors were among Vietnam’s first martyrs). The eight red tongues of fire around the boat are a symbol of the Holy Spirit and a representation of the diversity of ethnic and cultural communities. The red of the boat, the beehive and the tongues of fire allude to the blood of the martyrs.

About the Coat of Arms

The coat of arms combines symbols that reflect Bishop Bejarano’s spiritual life and priestly ministry. The main part of the shield shows four wavy vertical lines on a gold background. These represent flowing waters. This alludes to his chosen motto and also symbolizes the graces that come from the Divine life to quench our thirst for God. The upper third of the shield is red because it is borrowed from the coat of arms of the Order of Mercy, of which the Bishop’s patron saint, Raymond Nonnatus, was a member. The central symbol resembles a monstrance because St. Raymond is often depicted holding one. The Eucharist is Bishop Bejarano’s inspiration for his vocation. It was through the Eucharist that he received his call to the priesthood at age seven and which keeps his faith and his ministry going. It represents the call to offer oneself as a living sacrifice. The monstrance is flanked on either side by an image of the Sacred Heart, alluding to the mercy of God and echoing the idea of a sacrificial offering of oneself united to the sacrifice of Christ, and of a rose for Our Lady. It is an allusion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, patroness of the Americas, and highlights the bishop’s Hispanic heritage.

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