Enough Silence, Creating Sacred Space for Survivors of Sexual Assault through Restorative Justice

by Cheryl Miller

In Enough Silence, Cheryl Miller draws on more than two decades of working with survivors of abuse to create the composite character of Clara. Her story represents countless real people in our faith communities living with a personal history of sexual trauma. Clara’s story illustrates how restorative justice practices—implemented with care—can transform the lives of survivors. These practices include
• holding offenders accountable,
• lending direct voice to survivors, offenders, and members of the community,
• taking into account all those with stakes in incidents of sexual abuse,
• clarifying the organization’s values, and
• establishing a safe and structured environment for survivors.
She also offers a road map for implementing victim-offender dialogue, surrogate dialogue, circles, and more.

Enough Silence issues a call to pastors, clergy, nonprofit professionals, and other leaders to dismantle patriarchal systems that perpetuate rape culture. By embracing restorative justice practices, faith communities can imitate Christ in ministering to survivors and those who love them.

About Cheryl

Cheryl Miller owns Cheryl Miller Consulting, LLC, providing transformative training in several areas: nonprofit leadership, economic development, conflict management, and restorative justice.

Text on a colorful background reading, "Learn how restorative justice can offer healing to survivors of sexual abuse in your faith community."

A quote attributed to Jonathan Brooks, lead pastor of Lawndale Christian Community Church, on a textured background. The quote reads: "Cheryl Miller has written an in-your-face reminder that sexual violence is much too important a topic to be considered taboo." The background has artistic brushstrokes in orange, teal, and peach colors.

Quote on orange background: "Forgiveness is not an act of justice; it is an act of mercy." by Cheryl Miller from Enough Silence.

Quote on textured background about relief after restorative justice dialogue.

Quote about guilt and courage by Cheryl Miller in "Enough Silence." Background with orange and white design.

Quote from Tomi Grover praising a book as brave, timely, practical, implementable, and anointed. Includes position as Human Advocacy Director at GoSendMe Global and affiliation with LeTourneau University. Background has abstract watercolor design.

Quotation about human beings as "meaning-making machines" from "Enough Silence" by Cheryl Miller, on an orange and white background.

Beautifully Raw and Practical

Enough Silence is INCREDIBLE. If you have any interest in disrupting the way the church treats people who need help the most, evaluating and disrupting any organization's culture, learning more about positively impacting people who have experienced sexual violence, or restorative justice this book was written for you. Miller does a beautiful job of tastefully, never graphically, sharing raw themes of sexual violence, suicide, and the freedom reached through restorative justice. She does this through an engaging novel format embedded in descriptions of practical tools.

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Extremely Necessary Reading

“I work for a higher education institution in the field of student conduct and crisis response. This book is fantastic for anyone who deals with students who are hurting and even for those who do the hurting. I'm halfway through the book and I've taken so many notes from it to date with my peers. Seriously necessary information in this day and age..”

Finally! The healing we have been searching for.

True justice doesn’t come (only) from the legal system, or even our deep faith that God will prevail, but has to include an option to tell our perpetrator how great their actions hurt us and hear them take responsibility and be accountable to this. Restorative Justice can finally bring a better ending to our stories. Thank you, Cheryl Miller, for giving us a clear understanding of this process and its necessity and the way forward.