09-05-2025
Upcoming Ebor Lecture to concern abuse in religious institutions
A lecture on abuse within religious institutions is set to take place later this month.
The Centre for Religion in Society at York St John University has announced the latest event in the Ebor Lecture series.
The lecture is entitled From Silencing to Strength: Addressing Spiritual Abuse and Abuses of Power.
The lecture will be delivered by safeguarding expert Professor Lisa Oakley, on Wednesday, May 21, from 7pm to 9pm, at York Minster.
The event comes in the wake of what a spokesperson described as "renewed public attention to issues of abuse and safeguarding within religious institutions."
It will be the first Ebor Lecture to be held at York Minster since the post-Covid relaunch of the series.
There will be a free drinks reception following the lecture for attendees to continue the conversation over refreshments.
Professor Oakley, of the University of Chester, conducts research into safeguarding in fath contexts.
She has contributed to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, and is chair of the British Psychological Society's Safeguarding Advisory Group.
Professor Oakley said: "Disseminating the accounts of spiritual abuse that victim-survivors have shared with me has been essential to breaking the silence in this area.
"I am so grateful to everyone who has taken part in our research studies and shared personally over the years; this is emotionally costly, and that cost should not be underestimated.
"Early work that was shared was not always met with a receptive response.
"There was some lack of understanding and sometimes a lack of willingness to accept that the experiences described were real, harmful, and happening in contexts that might be assumed to be safe.
"Sometimes, there was concern that talking about this would damage faith institutions and the reputation of faith itself.
"Working towards acknowledgment and acceptance has been challenging, and at times there has been strong push back, and there is further work to do.
"Still, we must acknowledge the harm that has been experienced, respond appropriately, and work towards prevention in the future. "
Tickets are free but booking is essential via
The lecture will also be recorded and made available to watch online at
