Sexual Abuse, Trauma, and How the Church Can Become a Safe Place with Mary DeMuth

What does healing look like after sexual abuse and how can the church respond with compassion instead of silence?In this honest episode of the Collide Podcast, we sit down with Mary DeMuth to talk about sexual abuse, trauma, and the redemptive role the church can play in the healing journey. Mary shares from her own story as a survivor of childhood neglect and sexual abuse, offering thoughtful insight into how faith communities can enter sacred pain with humility, courage, and care. Whether you’re walking through personal healing, supporting a survivor, or longing to see the church become a safer place, this episode will remind you that restoration is possible and your story matters.Meet Mary DeMuthMary is an author, speaker, and podcaster who is passionate about helping people live a re-storied life. A survivor herself, she has become a courageous advocate for abuse survivors while also calling the church to deeper empathy, accountability, and healing. Her work—including her recent book We Too—creates space for truth-telling, lament, and hope.In This Episode, You’ll LearnWhy silence around sexual abuse causes further harm—and how speaking truth brings healingHow the church can respond to survivors with compassion, wisdom, and humilityWhat it means to live a “re-storied” life after traumaPractical ways faith communities can support abuse survivors wellHow This Episode Will Encourage YouIf you’ve ever carried the weight of unspoken pain or wrestled with where God is in the aftermath of trauma, this episode will offer language, validation, and hope. You’ll be reminded that healing is not rushed, you are not alone, and God meets us tenderly in our deepest wounds.Connect with Mary - WebsiteConnect with Willow - Website | Instagram | FacebookOrder Willow’s New Book! Collide: Running into Healing When Life Hands You HurtFollow and Support Collide 🌐 Visit our website for upcoming conferences, helpful resources, and encouragement for women pursuing healing, purpose, and deeper faith.📲 Follow along on Facebook and Instagram🛍️ Shop for good at the Collide Store💛 Give today online or Venmo to impact lives📬 Subscribe to our Newsletter and be the first to hear about new episodes, blog posts, events, and resources and more!