A growing number of clients in treatment follow different spiritual paths than the religious practices most familiar to their treatment and supervision providers. This sets the stage for possible misunderstandings and tensions between the client and the members of treatment or supervisory team. Among these spiritual paths is Neopaganism; this term refers to a group of Eurocentric religions that focus on reviving the pre-Christian practices of Europe and/or developing new and borrowed practices compatible with ancient pagan worldviews. While these worldviews can be puzzling to therapists and other professionals, Mr. Reeder explains how they can be understood in the context of counseling.

There has been little guidance on integrating Christian beliefs with the material covered in most treatment programs for individuals who have sexually abused. Yet the topic is of vital importance to many clients in treatment. In fact, it is common for people convicted of sexual crimes to have questions about spirituality in the wake of their arrest and legal processing. In this webinar, the panelists will address topics related to religious objections to participating in treatment, discussing how the goals of treatment mesh with individual beliefs and how professionals can best interface with their clients’ faith systems.

Adults are responsible for protecting children from sexual assault and incest. Children can learn protection skills as well, and it’s important that they do. However, it is up to adults to protect children, not for children to have to protect themselves. Feather Berkower has long worked to give adults accurate information about child sexual assault and incest so that they can prevent, recognize, and act responsibly if they witness it. This webinar interview explores Feather’s work in this area and what caregivers can do to raise children with healthy boundaries and safe bodies. She explains how people can come together as prevention teams and discusses her work in building homes and communities that are off-limits to child sexual assault. Parents are welcome as well as professionals!

Countless survivors of sexual harm and violence never contact any professional services or law enforcement mechanisms. This doesn’t mean these survivors are not yearning for healing for themselves and accountability for their abusers; rather, it is often the fear of the collateral consequences on their families and communities that keeps them silent. sujatha baliga (sujatha spells her name uncapitalized) believes restorative justice can meet these hidden needs at the family and community level, without reliance on systems of punishment.