I think Prey Tell is incredibly an important book for those in any sort of religious environment. Growing up evangelical/sb, I can attest that these things are not talked about. Tiffany does a good job of explaining why women are silenced and, more disturbingly, not believed in these environments and the world beyond them. I would recommend this book to anyone, but I believe it to be an incredibly valuable resource for someone who needs a starting point in understanding how and why women are silenced and what can be done to change this societal misstep

SO MANY THOUGHTS. First, the writing is engaging and the research is strong. The content is heavy, but Bluhm navigates the subject matter in a really compelling way. Her book is a powerful and convicting read highlighting why we silence women and how to stand up in Christian faith and speak truth to power.

One of the most fascinating parts of the book to me was her discussion of the “Just World Theory,” which is essentially the idea that we want to believe that the world is a just, fair place, and that we choose not to believe women who have been preyed upon because we WANT to believe that they somehow deserved what was coming to them. Because if we don’t believe that, it could happen to us or to our daughters. Whoa.

Another part of the book that I found compelling was her discussion of purity culture and how this mindset has shaped the way that we see sexual harassment. (For the record, I want to toot my own horn here and say that I feel like a truth-teller before my time because I was one of the few in my Christian high school who thought I Kissed Dating Goodbye was nonsense and strongly advocated against it.😜) Bluhm is quick to point out all of the positives that came from this culture, but she also rightly addresses how this way of thinking silences women and that women who grew up in this culture have essentially been groomed to believe that sexual harassment is somehow our fault. The whole purity culture discussion is a fascinating one that extends way beyond the scope of my post on this book, but its connection to this conversation was eye-opening for me.

Key Quotes:

“What if we could hold space for women who have been harmed, who have been humiliated, and who have been silenced? Lament alongside them? Ensure them that they are seen, that their stories matter, and that they will be treated with the utmost care? What if our churches, kitchen tables, and faith gatherings were the safest of places for them to process those experiences? What if silence weren’t spiritual? What if we not only listened but also committed to the process of healing? Of wholeness?”

“The Last Adam empowers the daughters of Eve, and so must we.”

"Prey Tell" may not necessarily be a "fun" book to read, but it is very necessary and timely. Author Tiffany Bluhm shares her own personal story about sexual assault and its lasting effects. I especially appreciated how this book focused specifically on dealing with these issues within churches and ministries, as I feel that this concept has not been researched enough. I also enjoyed how Bluhm tied in the biblical stories of Rahab and Tamar to current-day sexual misconduct issues.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

"As much as we'd love to believe that the church might handle misconduct differently than mainstream culture, there is no wrath quite like the wrath of holy men caught in the transgressions they condemn."

This is, unfortunately, an all-too-timely book, as the truth of the quote above continues to surface in ministry settings. I appreciated Bluhm's attentiveness to harassment and abuse in church circles, not just in wider culture--I actually wish there had been more of an exclusive focus on how these evils are perpetuated in the church specifically. But this book is an important open door to conversations that must--MUST--take place, no matter where we work or worship.

My hope is that "Prey Tell" will open the hearts and minds of those who have silenced women, those who have protected men who have abused or taken advantage of women and change the structures and institutions that have fed the silencing over time. The book helped to answer many questions and clarify confusion I had in my own mind about how I can educate others and speak up when others are silenced. The tie with scripture, the real-world examples of abuse of power, assault of women and the cover-ups and systems that allow victimization to continue were compelling. I cannot get enough of Ms. Bluhm's content and and so glad I was led to this book which equips us with tools and guidance on how to speak up when women are silenced.

This book is SO important. Well-researched, powerful, and highly relevant words about the ways that our culture and especially the church culture has failed to protect and uphold the dignity of women. Short and very clear, this should be required reading for any church staff member who is truly committed to women's empowerment. Our churches should be the absolute safest places for vulnerable people, rather than protecting abusers and creating dangerous environments for truth-tellers. Bluhm gives practical action steps for both men and women who wish to be allies to victims of abuse and also work to create healthier cultures and systems in their churches and organizations.

The hyper-focused nature of the book means that several parts are a bit redundant. I was also hoping to see more of Bluhm's personal story and experience. Still, this is a fantastic book and will be a great resource for the church!

Odds are most women have experienced some sort of sexual harassment, misconduct, or abuse. Prey Tell by Tiffany Bluhm sheds light on this darkness. If you’ve ever wondered, why did it take her so long to say something, why did she put herself in that position, or why did she stay in proximity to him? Instead, why don’t we ask her how did she live with that pain for so long, and why did she keep quiet? Read Prey Tell.
Prey Tell will brings awareness of abuse of power and the physical, financial, and relational toll it takes on people, and why we fear saying anything. This book is healing and inspiring, challenging and convicting. Not a easy read, but a necessary one. Take the time to learn. Speak up for yourself and others.

Well researched, calm, clear and powerful. Everyone - man, woman, personal experience of the issues or not, christian or otherwise should read this book. It highlights issues that are key in our society and in the church today.
I found myself, seething, fired up, desperately upset and deeply convicted reading it. It is important and I will recommending it far and wide.

A note to publishers - this book is excellent. I want as many people to read it as possible and I don’t think the description reflects just how powerful it is. It would be disappointing if the sell meant people who would benefit passed it by. I think by starting with referencing Tiffany’s story, which isn’t actually detailed (and doesn’t need to be) it makes it sound more like a magazine real life or a TV special. It’s far more intelligent and well researched than that implies.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of the title in exchange for this impartial review.