Practical Theology
Volume 11, Issue 5, 2018, Pages 437-449

The lived religion of polish sex-trafficked survivors: a targeted investigation for practical theological analysis (Article) (Open Access)

Deventer-Noordeloos F.* , Sremac S.
  • a Department of Religion and Theology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • b Department of Religion and Theology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands

Abstract

Sex trafficking is a crime that not only impacts victims physically or psychologically but also spiritually. This article surveys the Polish Catholic context for sex trafficking alongside Christian responses to it with background interviews from those in anti-trafficking work. Analysis from a lived religion perspective is offered on how three Polish female survivors of sex trafficking talk about God in testimony. Their religious and cultural context also is considered when analyzing their narratives. Taken together the survivors and their supporters words reveal the vital themes of love and forgiveness. First forgiveness brings about love, which then stimulates the possibility of a new narrative identity construction. The freedom that a new narrative ushers in is transformative. © 2018, © 2018 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.

Author Keywords

praxis of love lived religion sex trafficking forgiveness Poland

Index Keywords

[No Keywords available]

Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-85056125202&doi=10.1080%2f1756073X.2018.1536839&partnerID=40&md5=4c36fc7263f4cb2a8242b22bc7b1a918

DOI: 10.1080/1756073X.2018.1536839
ISSN: 1756073X
Original Language: English