This collection of articles introduces religious professionals to the physical, spiritual, and psychological consequences and related issues of abuse. It teaches how to recognize abuse patterns; helps clergy respond to cases of sexual abuse with compassion and understanding; and provides pastoral resources and outside references to aid the minister and counselor seeking assistance for long-term problems.

The contributors-experts in the fields of psychology and religion, researchers, journalists, writers, clergy, and victims-offer unparalleled insights, helping the minister and counselor to recognize and respond to the multilayered, sensitive, and often hidden issues of sexual assault and abuse. There is no other reference work available to those who are often the first to help victims of sexual assault and abuse the clergy and other religious professionals.

MARY. D. PELLAUER has conducted outreach workshops for clergy on the issue of sexual assault and abuse and is coeditor of Women's Consciousness, Women's Conscience. She is currently the coordinator for Research and Study of the Commission for Women at the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. BARBARA CHESTER has served as executive director of the Sexual Violence Center and clinical director of the Center for Victims of Torture, both based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. She contributed a chapter to Psychology and Torture, edited by Peter Suedfeld. JANE BOYAJIAN is found ing executive director of the Northwest Institute of Ethics and Life Sciences and currently works as a consultant to the State of Washington on ethical issues and public policy.