And The Lotus Shall Rise

My Journey through Clergy Sex Abuse

Some wounds are hidden in plain sight — tucked behind faith, trust, and the desperate need to feel loved. And The Lotus Shall Rise is Susan Bisaha's unflinching account of surviving clergy sexual abuse and the long road to reclaiming her life. Raw, courageous, and ultimately triumphant, this is a story about finding yourself on the other side of pain.

About The Author

Susan Bisaha

Susan M. Bisaha is a survivor, speaker, and advocate whose story spans nearly six decades of healing, self-discovery, and hard-won peace. After enduring years of clergy sexual abuse as a child — and the decades of difficult choices that followed — Susan made a defining decision: to take ownership of her life and pursue the happiness she always deserved. And The Lotus Shall Rise is her truth, told with honesty, grace, and the hope that her journey might illuminate someone else's path forward.

Podcasts & Interviews

Susan joins Amber Larkins on the Through the Trauma podcast to open up about grooming, abuse, the emotional and psychological aftermath, and the complicated role faith and the Church played throughout her experience.

She also shares her journey toward healing, the fight for accountability, and why she believes survivors finding their voices can become a powerful catalyst for change.

Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

Susan joins Dave Markel on the Sexual Assault Survivor Stories podcast to share her deeply personal journey of surviving eight years of clergy sexual abuse without recognizing it as abuse until years later.

Together, they explore the realities of grooming, delayed disclosure, the lasting impact of betrayal, and the path toward healing—offering insight, validation, and hope for survivors and those who love and support them.

Listen on Spotify | Listen on Apple Podcasts

Interview with Cloverly Publishing

Hear Susan's Story

Readers are calling And The Lotus Shall Rise a brave, necessary book.

Here's what they're saying:

“This isn’t just a book it’s bravery in written form. Sharing a story like this takes unimaginable strength. I highly recommend it because it opens eyes, starts conversations, and gives a voice to survivors everywhere.”

Maria T Mistretta

“Susan's book is heartbreaking yet healing. Her story speaks from the heart, offers truth, honesty and courage for anyone abused...not just by clergy. Her message is clear in that "The ones who have a voice must speak for those who are voiceless. When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful." This book is a must to read!”

Toni Latario

This book is deeply eye-opening, showing that abuse isn’t confined to boys—it affects girls too. What struck me is how common it is for us to prioritize the needs of those we love, often at the expense of our own identities. Yet through it all, she reveals the power of reclaiming your identity and accepting who you are.

A powerful testament to courage and resilience.

Mary Beth Mahlmann