RESCUING THE PRISONER WHEN THE PRISONER IS YOU
From Broken Wings to Healing Hands: Barbara Joy Hansen's Journey of Transformation and Hope
Barbara Joy Hansen’s mission to reach those with broken wings began decades ago, when she first attempted to “rescue” a male inmate she encountered through several prisons and crack houses.
After years of enabling and codependency with a male heroin addict, stemming from deep soul wounds, Barbara’s mission began as a training ground for her own healing. Over time, it became a tremendous healing tool that she now uses to reach men and women who have survived domestic violence around the world.
Although Barbara was raised in a pastor’s home, she was not protected from sexual violence. While writing her book, Listen to the Cry of the Child, an honest and truth-telling memoir, she discovered that her mother had also been a victim of incest at the hands of her grandfather. She also learned that two of her female cousins had been sexually abused by their father. Through finding her voice and sharing her story through her writing, Barbara believes she has broken generational curses and created a new legacy for future generations.
Barbara is the author of Listen to the Cry of the Child and Beauty Out of Ashes Facilitator. She is also a Coalition of Prison Evangelists Chaplain and a survivor of childhood incest, preteen crime, and devastating losses. Betrayal in her marriage contributed to infertility and ultimately led to the adoption of her firstborn son.
Out of her own brokenness, Barbara discovered a God-given purpose and passion: to walk alongside survivors, help them find healing and restoration, and give them hope. Today, her mission reaches survivors around the world, reminding them that their brokenness does not have to define their future—and that their voices can become instruments of healing for others.
