Preview Chapter Download
Download the first chapter of Sandy Phillips Kirkham’s story of her journey of healing from the abuse of her youth minister, “Let Me Prey Upon You: Breaking Free From A Minister’s Sexual Abuse.”
Book Preview
From her harrowing experiences in her beloved church and through to the conclusion, author Sandy Phillips Kirkham shares her personal story of clergy sexual abuse. In this book preview, you immediately feel the intense emotion Sandy experienced during what should have been a joyful weekend trip to visit her daughter. Even though Sandy believed she could hide her past, from herself and others, she was forced to face what was done to her by her youth minster.
Praise for Let Me Prey Upon You
“A well-written book that provides first person narrative of a young, faith driven, over-achieving girl who is manipulated and then trapped in an abusive relationship by someone of power in the church. The book provides a window into the author’s world and we can see how this occurs as well as the self-doubt fostered by the offender. It also shares the trauma that is caused when the offender is not only not held accountable, but moved into a new position that allows his abusive behavior to continue. Finally, it is a book of courage and survival and one that provides hope for victims.”
— SHELLEY MARSHALL
More About Let Me Prey Upon You
A church is where an insecure sixteen-year-old girl should feel welcome, happy, and most importantly, safe. Tragically for some, the church can become a place of great harm.
Sandy Phillips Kirkham details her account of how a charismatic youth minister preyed upon her, a betrayal which left her broken, with a shattered faith, and the ultimate shame of being blamed and forced from the church she loved. From their very first meeting, the new youth minister slowly and methodically turned the sacred relationship of a trusted spiritual leader to one of abuse: sexual, emotional, and physical. When his actions were discovered, he was simply moved to another church, leaving Sandy to pay for his deeds. She was not his first victim, nor would she be his last.
Despite a successful and happy life as a wife, mother, and friend, Sandy successfully concealed her abuse for twenty-seven years until a trigger forced her to face the truth. Sandy’s story will take you on her journey of healing which began in 2004, first by seeking justice and closure from both the pastor and the church. Her strength and courage will inspire you. Let Me Prey Upon You details Sandy’s journey from innocent sixteen-year-old victim to survivor and advocate.
Further Praise
“Sandy’s story draws you deeper and deeper into her world as a teen abused by her youth pastor and the years of pain as she struggled with the aftermath of his abuse. A compelling account of clergy abuse.”
—DEBBIE MOTZ
“Let Me Prey Upon You is an important story of a minister who preyed upon and sexually abused several young women, while moving from church to church to church. But it is more than that, it is also the story of one courageous woman who, years later, finally dealt with and confronted her past to begin her journey of healing. Sandy Kirkham’s story is one of lies, manipulation, coercion, and abuse, but it is also a story of courage, resilience, and bravery.”
—SUSAN RANDALL, COUNSELOR
“Sandy’s book is a go-to resource for anyone wanting to understand the concepts of grooming and abuse of religious authority. Her story captures the pain, the shame and long struggle to heal from clergy abuse.”
—DAN FRONDORF, CO-FOUNDER OF CINCINNATI SNAP CHAPTER
Download Your Book Preview Today!
Preview Chapter Download
Download the first chapter of Sandy Phillips Kirkham’s story of her journey of healing from the abuse of her youth minister, “Let Me Prey Upon You: Breaking Free From A Minister’s Sexual Abuse.”