Childhood sexual abuse: Personal meanings from exceptional religious encounters

This phenomenological research dissertation investigated the lived experience of childhood sexual abuse survivors who have experienced an exceptional religious encounter. It is estimated that 1 in 4 children endure sexual abuse. This type of trauma is often secretive. So, too, is the experience of a child’s perceiving a visit from a religious entity. This dissertation explored this double taboo using interpretative phenomenological analysis. Eight adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse revealed their lived experience of witnessing an exceptional religious encounter during the trauma period. They provide insight into their lived experience, the transition required to accommodate the meaning that a spiritual realm exists, and the impact this knowledge created in their lives and in the healing process. For some, the exceptional religious encounter became a blessing; for others, it became a source of added trauma.