Believe Her: How to be an Ally to a Survivor of Sexual Assault when You Don't Know What to Say - A Guidebook for Christian Men

“Yes you will absolutely be reborn, yes you will rebuild something more beautiful than before, but essentially a death took place in that moment and that is irreversible…”

-a Survivor

 

It is an honor and a privilege to be an ally to a survivor of sexual assault. She allows you close to her pain and you help her heal—with no expectations on her. It’s not a commitment to enter lightly.

If Jesus has burdened your heart for a survivor, but you don’t know what to do, start with this book. It will take work, prayer, and patience, but she’s worth it.

 

The book has four main sections:

1) What it means to be a survivor.

2) What it means to be an ally.

3) How to be an ally.

4) Reach out to her.

 

My intent is to break your heart and prepare you to be the ally your survivor friend needs. You will learn about the crime, read four other books (listed below), and then, with your friend’s permission, you’ll write a series of letters meant to encourage her and build an allyship. It’s a process designed around her, her needs, and her safety.

 

And who am I, you ask? I’m no one special, but God used my friendship with a survivor to call me to this work. I’ve had the privilege of getting to know many more, and their voices are found all through this text. My hope is to encourage men to get involved in allyship and advocacy.

 

Required reading:

Know My Name, by Chanel Miller.

What Is a Girl Worth?: My Story of Breaking the Silence and Exposing the Truth About Larry Nassar and USA Gymnastics, by Rachael Denhollander.

Redeeming Power: Understanding Authority and Abuse in the Church, by Diane Langberg.

Believed, by Michael James Emberger.


For more information, see https://www.michaeljamesemberger.com/believe-her