From Trauma to Freedom: New Documentary, Songs, and Book Offer Lifelines to Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse
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For Immediate Release (Nashville, TN) — Music for the Soul, a non-profit organization endorsed by the American Association of Christian Counselors, is releasing a new documentary, “Innocent Child: Healing for Survivors of Childhood Sexual Abuse.” The film features interviews with five women who were abused as children, including author and singer Becky Nordquist. To coincide with the film, Nordquist has also penned a book for survivors entitled “Innocent Child: Devotions for Healing from Childhood Sexual Abuse.”
Music for the Soul founder and director, Steve Siler, says this film has been a work in progress for over 35 years. “In 1989, I was writing songs for a stage play for sexual abuse survivors,” says Siler. “The song, Innocent Child, was the centerpiece of the play. I was invited to play the song at a survivor conference, and after I sang a woman approached me and said, ‘People have been telling me I was an innocent child my whole life. I never believed it until I heard you sing it today.’ This documentary, the new songs we wrote for this film, and a new book are all the culmination of my desire to produce something to help heal abuse survivors.” |
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Nordquist says the film and the book reflect her personal journey of healing, often marked by anger and confusion.
“The greatest battle I faced was not only what happened to me, but the lies that took root in its wake,” says Nordquist. “Those lies wrapped themselves around my heart and mind, distorting everything they touched. In many ways, they wounded me more deeply than the events themselves. God’s image became twisted in my understanding—His character was misrepresented, His heart misunderstood. And my own identity became just as distorted. I could not see myself clearly.”
Nordquist says she also tried to answer the most difficult question most victims struggle with answering: where was God during the abuse?
“I do not believe in a God who ‘allows’ abuse,” says Nordquist. “That word has been deeply misused, even by well-meaning people in the Church. Abuse, betrayal, death—none of it was part of His original design. Our hearts struggle to understand because they were never meant to carry this kind of brokenness. God gave us free will, and with that comes the reality that people can choose harm. But that was never His heart or His intention. The word ‘allow’ has made it sound as though God was complicit in the very things that broke us. God is not a user. He does not need my pain to accomplish anything, and He does not require brokenness to accomplish His purposes. Yet He can take what was meant for evil and make good things come from it. My first brave step was being honest about what I truly felt, and a relationship with God I would not have experienced otherwise began to unfold in those painful, unfiltered moments of truth. I began asking the hard questions, and He met me there with kindness, patience, and a steady love.”
Nordquist hopes the book is a catalyst to help heal people who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
“I think there is something deeply meaningful about being comforted by someone who truly understands—someone who has stood on the other side of what once felt like an impossible sea to cross,” says Nordquist. “It creates a connection that feels personal, real, and full of hope. It is an incredible honor to walk with those who are hurting, sit with them, and catch tears like the ones I have shed on my own journey.”
Since its founding in 2001, Music for the Soul has addressed numerous difficult topics through music including eating disorders, pornography addiction, abortion recovery, suicide, and grief, among others. Their work has been endorsed by organizations such as Hope for the Heart and the American Family Association, among others. Siler says even the music included in the documentary has intentionality.
“According to the consulting therapists and counselors we have worked with over the years, a song is often able to create a breakthrough moment for clients of abuse,” says Siler. “Music is processed in a different area of the brain than language. Melody engages that portion of the brain where trauma is held. That’s why in addition to the three songs featured in the film, we have included eleven additional songs on the website. We know music speaks to the whole brain and can seep through the cracks in an abuse survivor’s wall of defense. And because melody and rhythm are memory devices, whatever we hear in a song is going to have a far greater chance of being remembered.”
Siler says the documentary, the songs, the devotional, as well as a leader's guide will be offered to Christian counselors and ministry leaders to help survivors begin to process their trauma.
“The documentary includes gentle animation, compelling interviews, a passionate reading, and moving music videos,” says Siler. “All of these elements can be used in a therapeutic setting to achieve connection and forward progress on the healing journey. By recognizing themselves in the stories that are shared, survivors will see that they are not alone. Most importantly they will see that hope, healing, and freedom are possible.”
For more information visit www.innocentchild.net.
“The greatest battle I faced was not only what happened to me, but the lies that took root in its wake,” says Nordquist. “Those lies wrapped themselves around my heart and mind, distorting everything they touched. In many ways, they wounded me more deeply than the events themselves. God’s image became twisted in my understanding—His character was misrepresented, His heart misunderstood. And my own identity became just as distorted. I could not see myself clearly.”
Nordquist says she also tried to answer the most difficult question most victims struggle with answering: where was God during the abuse?
“I do not believe in a God who ‘allows’ abuse,” says Nordquist. “That word has been deeply misused, even by well-meaning people in the Church. Abuse, betrayal, death—none of it was part of His original design. Our hearts struggle to understand because they were never meant to carry this kind of brokenness. God gave us free will, and with that comes the reality that people can choose harm. But that was never His heart or His intention. The word ‘allow’ has made it sound as though God was complicit in the very things that broke us. God is not a user. He does not need my pain to accomplish anything, and He does not require brokenness to accomplish His purposes. Yet He can take what was meant for evil and make good things come from it. My first brave step was being honest about what I truly felt, and a relationship with God I would not have experienced otherwise began to unfold in those painful, unfiltered moments of truth. I began asking the hard questions, and He met me there with kindness, patience, and a steady love.”
Nordquist hopes the book is a catalyst to help heal people who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse.
“I think there is something deeply meaningful about being comforted by someone who truly understands—someone who has stood on the other side of what once felt like an impossible sea to cross,” says Nordquist. “It creates a connection that feels personal, real, and full of hope. It is an incredible honor to walk with those who are hurting, sit with them, and catch tears like the ones I have shed on my own journey.”
Since its founding in 2001, Music for the Soul has addressed numerous difficult topics through music including eating disorders, pornography addiction, abortion recovery, suicide, and grief, among others. Their work has been endorsed by organizations such as Hope for the Heart and the American Family Association, among others. Siler says even the music included in the documentary has intentionality.
“According to the consulting therapists and counselors we have worked with over the years, a song is often able to create a breakthrough moment for clients of abuse,” says Siler. “Music is processed in a different area of the brain than language. Melody engages that portion of the brain where trauma is held. That’s why in addition to the three songs featured in the film, we have included eleven additional songs on the website. We know music speaks to the whole brain and can seep through the cracks in an abuse survivor’s wall of defense. And because melody and rhythm are memory devices, whatever we hear in a song is going to have a far greater chance of being remembered.”
Siler says the documentary, the songs, the devotional, as well as a leader's guide will be offered to Christian counselors and ministry leaders to help survivors begin to process their trauma.
“The documentary includes gentle animation, compelling interviews, a passionate reading, and moving music videos,” says Siler. “All of these elements can be used in a therapeutic setting to achieve connection and forward progress on the healing journey. By recognizing themselves in the stories that are shared, survivors will see that they are not alone. Most importantly they will see that hope, healing, and freedom are possible.”
For more information visit www.innocentchild.net.
About Steve Siler:
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Steve Siler is founder and director of Music for the Soul, a nonprofit organization promoting mental and spiritual wellness through music and stories. He is an accomplished songwriter and music producer with over 500 songs recorded in the gospel, country, and pop genres. His songs have been recorded by pop and country artists such as Kenny Loggins, Smokey Robinson, Patti Labelle, Kenny Rogers, and The Oak Ridge Boys, among others. Siler has written extensively for television including theme and underscore work for children’s animation, sitcoms, drama, sports, game shows, and news programming. He has also had songs featured in theatrical motion pictures. He is the author of three books, and the co-host of the Music for the Soul Podcast. For more information, visit https://www.musicforthesoul.org/.
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About Becky Nordquist:
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Becky Nordquist is a speaker, singer, and worship leader. Her most recent book, “Innocent Child: Devotions for Healing from Childhood Sexual Abuse,” coincides with her appearance in the new documentary, “Innocent Child.” She also wrote "Before We Said Hello,” a devotional for people grieving pregnancy or infant loss. Becky's music project, Soft Rain, is a collection of honest, powerful songs encouraging those facing some of life's most difficult challenges. She has been a featured worship leader, clinician and keynote speaker at the Gloria Gaither Songwriting conference, and for organizations like Moody Radio, Charisma, Billy Graham, and American Family Association,
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