Oh, how abundant is your goodness, which you have stored up for those who fear you and worked for those who take refuge in you, in the sight of the children of mankind! In the cover of your presence you hide them from the plots of men; you store them in your shelter from the strife of tongues.

In most studies it has been found that over 25% of women have been abused. It is an astounding number and there is a incredible need for places of safety for these women to seek healing. Counselors and psychologists tell us that an important step in healing from the trauma caused by abuse is the telling of the story. 

The Becoming a Refuge Seminar 2023 will make very visible the services for women in Fremont County as The Refuge joins with the Fremont County Alliance Against Domestic Violence & Sexual Assault to present two well-known speakers and advocates. The Refuge seeks to provide safe places for survivors to tell their story and seek healing.

Our two speakers are internationally recognized abuse experts from experience in counseling and advocating.

Rachael Denhollander

Rachael Denhollander became known internationally in 2016 as the first woman to pursue criminal charges and speak publicly against USA Gymnastics’ team doctor Larry Nassar,one of the most prolific sexual abusers in recorded history. As a result of her activism over 300 women—including numerous Olympic medalists—came forward as survivors of Nassar’s abuse, eventually leading to his life imprisonment. 

For her work as an advocate and educator on sexual assault, Rachael was named one of TIME Magazine’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” and one of Glamour Magazine’s “Women of the Year” in 2018. Additionally, she received the “Inspiration of the Year” award from Sports Illustrated, was a joint recipient of ESPN’s “Arthur Ashe Courage Award,” and was named a “Michiganian of the Year” by the Detroit News, along numerous other awards and recommendations.

Rachael holds a Juris Doctorate from Oak Brook College of Law and possesses an honorary doctorate from the American University of Paris.

Darby Strickland is a counselor and faculty member at CCEF. She has a Master of Divinity with a counseling emphasis from Westminster Theological Seminary. A nationally recognized expert, Darby brings particular passion and expertise in helping the vulnerable and oppressed, especially women in abusive marriages. She has contributed to the well-known training curriculum, “Becoming a Church that Cares Well for the Abused,” through churchcares.com. 

Darby has written for the Journal of Biblical Counseling and the CCEF blog and is the author of Is it Abuse? A Biblical Guide to Identifying Abuse and Helping Victims (P&R). In addition, as an author and advocate has written two small pamphlets to help churches respond well to abuse. She is in demand as a consultant for churches seeking to help abuse survivors find safety.