Date

8-20-2026

Department

School of Behavioral Sciences

Degree

Doctor of Education in Community Care and Counseling (EdD)

Chair

Laura Mackenzie

Keywords

Childhood sexual abuse, evangelical pastor, disclosure, long-term effects

Disciplines

Christianity | Counseling

Abstract

The purpose of this phenomenological study was to describe Evangelical Christian women's experiences disclosing childhood sexual abuse to their pastor in the southeastern region of the United States. Childhood sexual abuse has been a globally studied public health and human rights concern. Over the past few decades, the knowledge of childhood sexual abuse has accumulated in a substantial amount of empirical research, through state and federal legislations, as well as with media coverage. This research has shed light on the gaps in the study regarding disclosure of childhood sexual abuse to an evangelical pastor. Most available research discussed the physiological and psychological outcomes of survivors of childhood sexual abuse. This research aimed to identify the barriers to disclosure of childhood sexual abuse. This study utilized a theoretical framework that focuses on Schlossberg’s Transition Theory. This study utilized a transcendental qualitative approach to examine the women’s perception of disclosing childhood sexual abuse to an evangelical pastor. The research focused on determining the participants’ lived experiences regarding the effects of disclosing childhood sexual abuse to an evangelical pastor. The study included 14 women of various ages and races from the southeastern region of the United States. Through semi-structured interviews, a focus group, journal prompts and completed questionnaires the data was analyzed by identifying common themes leading to a core meaning of the lived experiences.

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