Awake Blog
Welcome to the Awake Blog! If you’re new to Awake, we recommend you check out these top blog posts from our archive.
Sign up here to receive an email notification when a new blog post is published!
Investigation of Researcher David Pooler Finds Credible Allegations of Verbal Sexual Misconduct and Professional Boundary Violations
Pooler spoke at Awake’s 2021 Courageous Conversation about abuse of adults, and we had quoted him in multiple posts on the Awake blog. While the investigation was ongoing, we removed this content from our website; based on the findings of the GRACE investigation, we have now permanently removed the content.
In Memory of Pete Singer: Why We Must Build a Trauma-Sensitive Church
We at Awake were sad to learn of the passing of Pete Singer, executive director of GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment), on May 1. We are fortunate that he was able to take part in our November 2024 Courageous Conversation, “Cultivating a Gospel Response to Trauma.” To honor Pete’s memory, we revisit the summary of that important conversation.
Why Have Many Survivors of Church Abuse Suffered Previous Trauma?
This week we revisit helpful information from expert Pete Singer of GRACE, who explains why victim-survivors of harm in the Catholic Church often have previous trauma histories.
Awake’s Top 10 Blog Posts of 2024
As we embark on a new year, it’s a good time to review our 10 most popular blog posts from 2024. This allows you to catch up on any you might have missed!
Courageous Conversation: Why We Must Work Toward a Trauma-Sensitive Church
Our latest Courageous Conversation, “Cultivating a Gospel Response to Trauma,” considered why Catholics are called to create faith communities sensitive to the needs of people with traumatic wounds, including those who have been abused in the Church.
How Can We Make Churches More Trauma-Informed? Start with These 6 Principles
To make churches safe for all, faith communities need a deep understanding of the concept of trauma.
Polyvictimization: Why Many Victim-Survivors of Church Abuse Have Suffered Previous Trauma
When victim-survivors of sexual abuse by Church leaders share their stories, some mention that they experienced previous abuse or trauma even before they were harmed in the Church. Trauma researchers report that this is not uncommon. People who…