What is a Girl Worth?
by Rachel Denhollander
Listed in Season 6: Bonus 1 episode Safe to Hope podcast show notes
Why This Memoir Matters in Ministry to the Wounded and the Watchful
What Is a Girl Worth? by Rachael Denhollander is more than a memoir—it’s a bold testimony of truth, faith, and justice that speaks directly to the heart of abuse ministry. Known as the first woman to publicly accuse Larry Nassar of sexual abuse, Denhollander combines personal story with deep theological reflection and a call to accountability within the church and legal systems.
For leaders, counselors, and people-helpers, this book offers a firsthand view of what it means to stand for truth at great personal cost. For victims and survivors, Denhollander’s journey offers solidarity and dignity. Her voice is unwavering, intelligent, and grounded in Scripture, giving readers a model of courageous Christian advocacy.
In ministry spaces where survivors are often doubted, silenced, or shamed, this book offers clarity, conviction, and a powerful answer to the question Denhollander asked both in court and to the church: What is a girl worth?
God’s Precepts and Strategies: Justice, Mercy, and Integrity
Throughout the book, Denhollander returns again and again to the character of God—His justice, His compassion, and His call to truth. Her theological grounding is evident but never forced. She invites readers to see justice not as vengeance, but as a reflection of God’s own nature.
She writes with precision about the failure of many Christian institutions to uphold truth and protect the vulnerable, contrasting that with Scripture’s unwavering standard of justice and righteousness. Her understanding of forgiveness, grace, and repentance is nuanced, drawing clear distinctions between cheap grace and biblical reconciliation.
This book is not a theoretical exploration of abuse ministry—it is a lived theology of justice that upholds both gospel truth and human dignity.
Key Takeaways for Leaders and Counselors
For those in leadership or care roles, What Is a Girl Worth? is essential reading. Denhollander addresses common missteps that ministries and churches make—minimizing harm, protecting reputations, or mishandling forgiveness. She provides real-life examples that challenge readers to re-evaluate their responses to reports of abuse or allegations within Christian communities.
Counselors and leaders will especially benefit from her discussion on trauma, disclosure, and the long-term cost of coming forward. She explains what support looks like—and what it doesn’t—offering insight into how to foster environments where survivors feel safe to speak.
This book equips people-helpers with language, theological grounding, and practical wisdom for handling abuse disclosures with integrity and compassion.
How It Resonates with Victims and Survivors
Few books offer survivors the level of validation that What Is a Girl Worth? provides. Denhollander does not shy away from describing the emotional toll of abuse, the spiritual confusion that can follow, or the betrayal felt when institutions protect abusers. Yet, through it all, she remains grounded in her identity in Christ.
Her journey models the slow, often painful process of healing, and reminds survivors that their worth is not found in others’ responses but in God’s unwavering truth. Survivors reading this book will likely see their own questions reflected in hers—and perhaps, for the first time, hear a faithful Christian woman saying out loud what they’ve long held in silence.
This book is heavy but not hopeless. It doesn’t promise easy answers, but it points to a faithful God who sees, hears, and values His children.
Conclusion: A Voice That Demands We Listen
Rachael Denhollander’s What Is a Girl Worth? is one of the most important books for anyone ministering to the abused or advocating for systemic change within the church. It calls us to examine our theology of justice, truth, and grace with open eyes and honest hearts.
The value of this book lies not only in Denhollander’s story, but in her steadfast commitment to truth rooted in Scripture. It is a must-read for leaders, counselors, survivors, and anyone who believes that justice and mercy belong together.
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