Enough Silence: Creating Sacred Space for Survivors of Sexual Assault Through Restorative Justice

Learn how restorative justice can offer healing to survivors of sexual abuse in your faith community

Clara was five years old the first time she was raped by her father. The trauma stifled Clara’s self-esteem, ability to trust others, and emotional regulation well into adulthood. But after an encounter with a repentant man who had committed the same crime against his own daughter--through a guided victim-offender dialogue--Clara was finally able to breathe.

In Enough Silence, Cheryl Miller draws on more than two decades working with survivors of abuse to create the composite character of Clara. Her story represents countless real people in our faith communities living with a personal history of sexual trauma. Clara’s story illustrates how restorative justice practices--implemented with care--can transform the lives of survivors. These practices include
- holding offenders accountable,
- lending direct voice to survivors, offenders, and members of the community,
- taking into account all those with stakes in incidents of sexual abuse,
- clarifying the organization’s values, and
- establishing a safe and structured environment for survivors.
She also offers a road map for implementing victim-offender dialogue, surrogate dialogue, circles, and more.

Enough Silence issues a call to pastors, clergy, nonprofit professionals, and other leaders to dismantle patriarchal systems that perpetuate rape culture. By embracing restorative justice practices, faith communities can imitate Christ in ministering to survivors and those who love them.

Cheryl Miller has worked in mediation, restorative justice, and community development for over two decades. An experienced nonprofit leader, she is also the founder of Quantum Circles Consulting and Training, an organization that equips community groups to address homelessness, economic development, restoration, and reconciliation.