Spiritual abuse

Spiritual abuse is sometimes called religious abuse
It happens when someone uses spiritual or religious beliefs to hurt, scare or control you
Spiritual abuse is a form of domestic and family violence
Our Service Directory can be used to find specialist services to suit individual needs. You can also use it to find support services in your local area
If you or someone you know is experiencing spiritual abuse, you can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, text 0458 737 732 or visit our website for online chat and video call services. Available 24/7.

What is spiritual abuse?

Spiritual abuse is any attempt to use religion, faith or beliefs to exert power and control over someone. It can involve someone forcing you or your children to join spiritual or religious practices when you don't want to. It can also involve someone stopping you from taking part in spiritual or religious practices that you want to participate in. It is a type of emotional abuse and coercive control.

Spiritual abuse is when someone uses religion or beliefs to control, isolate or scare you. It can be part of a pattern and may happen alongside other types of abuse. If it’s used to make you feel afraid or powerless, it can be domestic or family violence.

What can spiritual abuse look like?

Stopping you from practising your faith
Forcing you to follow beliefs you don’t agree with
Pressuring you or your children to take part in religious practices
Using spiritual teachings or leaders to:
- Justify abuse
- Blame you for the violence
- Pressure you to stay in a harmful relationship
- Stop you or your kids from getting medical care
Forcing you into a marriage you don’t want
Shaming or mocking your beliefs
Stopping you from returning home to Country

Spiritual abuse can be a form of domestic and family violence. If you or someone you know is experiencing this type of abuse it is okay to ask for help.

It can involve someone forcing you or your children to participate in spiritual or religious practices when you don't want to.

Who can be responsible for spiritual abuse?

Spiritual abuse can happen anywhere, not just in relationships. It can occur in places like schools, religious or care settings. It can also happen in personal relationships, including:

Partners or ex-partners
Family members, including parents or adult children
Carers or support workers
People you live with or see often

Spiritual abuse is about control. It can happen in any environment where someone misuses their beliefs to harm or control you. No one has the right to stop you from following your beliefs. They also don’t have to right to force you to follow theirs.

Safety planning

A safety plan is a way to help keep yourself safer when living with abuse. Your safety plan might include:

Reaching out to support services that understand spiritual abuse. For example, 1800RESPECT
Identifying trusted people or services you can talk to
Keeping important documents or contacts in a safe place
Planning how to leave or avoid unsafe situations
Packing an escape bag in case you need to leave quickly
Finding safe ways to practise your beliefs.

You can learn more about safety planning here.

Next steps

Neglect

Neglect happens when you are denied the things you need to live a safe, comfortable, healthy life. If you are experiencing neglect it is important to know that support is available.

Financial abuse

Financial abuse involves someone using money in ways to hurt you, like forcing you to get loans you don't want. It is a form of domestic or family violence and it is not OK.

Physical abuse

Physical abuse happens when someone deliberately hurts your body, or takes away your control of your body. Physical abuse can be a form of domestic and family violence.