After Sexual Trauma: Finding Renewal in Christ

Ask the Christian Counselor

by Camille E. Cates

Camille Cates provides a compassionate guide to help survivors of sexual trauma find comfort, hope, healing, and renewal through faith in Christ.

It is estimated that one out of three women and one in six men experience sexual abuse or assault by age eighteen, not including adult victims. If you are suffering from the disorienting and long-lasting effects of sexual trauma, you are not alone. The journey toward healing and renewal begins with seeking God, who not only sees your past and present suffering but also holds your future.

After Sexual Trauma combines biblical insights with Cates’s personal and counseling experience to offer a message of hope. Each chapter addresses common questions and struggles faced by those who have experienced sexual trauma, including understanding the initial shock and confusion, addressing self-blame, understanding how God views victims, discussing the physical, mental, and emotional effects, and finding healing and wholeness.

Encourages survivors to draw near to God through the reading of his Word, prayer, and fellowship with Christians who have a shared experience.Helpful for friends and family of survivors who want to better understand what their loved one has experienced and how to help them.Part of theAsk the Christian Counselor series, walking readers through their deepest and most profound questions.Compact format goes deeper than New Growth Press’s popular minibooks without overwhelming the reader.

112 pages, Paperback

Published September 22, 2025

About the author

Camille Cates is a biblical counselor and a public speaker with a passion for ministering to women in crisis. She has written and spoken extensively on the topics of pregnancy care ministry, post-abortion trauma counseling, God's design for sexuality and sexual abuse. She is the author of Moving Forward after Abortion and the minibook Pregnancy Crisis. Camille and her husband, Troy, have three adult children and reside in the metro Cincinnati, OH, area.

Reviews

[Lauren DuPrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This review contains affiliate links.

I received After Sexual Trauma, compliments of New Growth Press, in exchange for my honest review.

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After Sexual Trauma is author and biblical counselor Camille Cates' latest title in the Ask the Christian Counselor Series of books. In this book, Camille shares her own story of sexual trauma and how Christ helped her heal from it. Her tone is compassionate and gentle, making this a great tool for helping victims of sexual trauma find healing. The book is rich with Bible verses and answers questions survivors likely face, including: Was it my fault? Am I damaged beyond repair? How can I trust anyone again? and more.


There's an entire chapter dedicated to justice, which was so powerful to read. Camille's story is pretty heavy, yet seeing God's faithfulness to her in it is greatly encouraging and provides a comforting reminder that, whether or not victims receive justice on earth, ultimate justice will prevail. I also appreciate that she encourages victims to contact the authorities to report abuse and takes a firm stand against churches performing internal investigations, should the abuser be someone in a leadership position.

After Sexual Trauma is just shy of 100 pages (98 to be exact), and each chapter concludes with questions for reflection as well as additional resources for readers to consider. This book is an excellent gospel centered resource for those seeking healing from sexual trauma and those who hope to help victims heal biblically. Regardless of whether you've experienced sexual trauma, I believe this book is a must read so the church can grow in being equipped to care for its members in a Christlike manner. I'm sad that it's necessary for this book to exist, and also so grateful that there's hope for healing for those who've experienced sexual trauma

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cates writes with a compassionate and gospel-focussed approach, and her vulnerable honesty gives her unique credibility. Chapters address common questions: Did that really happen? Was it my fault? Why me? Am I damaged beyond repair? How can I trust again? Will justice be done? Biblical accounts expound the points, mostly sourced from the Old Testament, such as Hagar, Dinah, Tamar and Joseph, all of whom were awfully mistreated by others, but seen and cared for by God. She then leads the reader to see how Christ is the one who truly understands, knows, heals, and redeems. For the Christian who wants to find their comfort in God’s work and promises, there is much here that is helpful. She explains some of the physiological, psychological and emotional impacts of trauma. She is honest about the failings of the criminal justice system and is clear that churches cannot handle these things alone; they must bring in civil authorities. I had some hesitations: the use of Deut 22 could confuse some, and disagreeing with a 300-year-old commentary seemed unnecessary. Despite that, this is a supportive resource that will provide help and comfort to victim-survivors while encouraging them to find their true value, worth and healing in Christ.

[Kelly Twehues · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book offers hope from many different angles to people who have experienced sexual trauma & are looking to their faith for a way forward. Personal accounts, gospel connections and reflection questions make this read a true exercise in recognizing you are not alone in this journey.

[Landon Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an honest, gospel-focused book that aims to listen to the Bible. Cates offers gospel hope to those who have suffered.