Since that time, Woodson has become an advocate for abuse survivors. During the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual gathering this past summer, the denomination passed a resolution apologizing to Woodson and nine other survivors by name. The denomination also passed a set of reforms designed to address abuse.
In the months after the SBC meeting, Woodson said she’s been devoted to her new work, helping raise funds and get the word out.
She said that coming forward about her abuse caused conflict in her family and sent her looking for counseling, something she continues still. She hopes her work with Help;Hear;Heal can not only fund counseling but also make it easier for abuse survivors to come forward.
Debbie Vasquez, from left, Jules Woodson and Tiffany Thigpen react to a vote in favor of sexual assault victims during the Southern Baptist Convention annual meeting, held at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California, on June 15, 2022. RNS photo by Justin L. Stewart
Sexual abuse often involves shame and stigma, making it difficult for survivors to tell anyone about their experience, meaning they often live with pain for years.
“We really want to break down the stigma,” Woodson said. “We want to give the resources, the access to funding for survivors to get in, make that initial disclosure, start to unpack the trauma they’ve experienced, so they can make a long-term plan for what healing looks like.”
Woodson said the program is meant to help survivors from any background, not just those who have experienced abuse in the church.
McKay, who grew up Catholic and Methodist, no longer identifies with any religious group. He said his family’s experience of abuse made him want to help others who have experienced the same thing. He said there are many local nonprofits already helping abuse survivors but he wanted to do something that could help people on a more national basis.
He also wanted to take some of the stress out of looking for help during a crisis and hopes online access to counseling can ease some of the burdens for survivors and their families.
“Let’s make this as simple and as quick as possible to get you in to talk to someone,” he said.
This article originally appeared here.
