Christa Brown, a sexual abuse survivor and advocate, shares her harrowing journey within the Southern Baptist Convention, highlighting the systemic failures to protect victims. David Pooler, a Baylor University professor, discusses alarming PTSD rates among clergy abuse survivors, emphasizing the psychological toll of betrayal. They examine the exploitation of faith and the manipulative dynamic between victims and church leaders. The conversation calls for urgent reforms and accountability in religious institutions to protect those vulnerable to abuse.
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Krista Brown's Abuse Story
Krista Brown was a faithful Southern Baptist girl who was sexually abused by her youth pastor starting as a teenager.
She complied due to her faith and the abusive use of the Bible to justify the predator’s actions.
insights INSIGHT
Clergy Abuse Causes Severe PTSD
Clergy sexual abuse causes PTSD at rates higher than sexual assault survivors and combat veterans.
The trauma is worsened by institutional betrayal and long-term abuse lasting about four years.
insights INSIGHT
Churches Often Fail Survivors
Only 9% of clergy abuse survivors found their churches helpful when reporting abuse.
Most survivors were not believed or supported, highlighting institutional failure.
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In Episode 4 of All the Buried Women, co-hosts Beth Allison Barr and Savannah Locke share the story of Christa Brown, a sexual abuse survivor and advocate. Her experience reflects the broader issue of clergy abuse, where victims are often silenced and blamed, while abusers are protected and transferred to new congregations. The episode also highlights Pooler’s research on the harmful psychological impacts of clergy sexual abuse, including PTSD rates higher than those of combat veterans, and the Southern Baptist Convention’s (SBC) ongoing failure to protect victims.
We reached out to the SBC, Paige Patterson, Darryl Gilyard, Tommy Gilmore, and the Council for National Policy for comment, and did not hear back.
Writing and Editing: Beth Allison Barr and Savannah Locke
Sound Editing and Music: Savannah Locke and Todd Locke
Introduction and Closing Song: Jaded by Savannah Locke
Special Thanks (in order of appearance): Christa Brown (Get Christa’s newest book Baptistland: A Memoir of Abuse, Betrayal, and Transformation!), David Pooler, Robert Downen, Rosalie Beck, Meredith Stone, and Barry Hankins
Partner Organization: The Bible for Normal People
Additional Thanks: Andy Clark, Systems Administrator within the University Libraries at Baylor University; Erin Smith, Marketing Manager at Baker Publishing Group; Jordan Corona; Dr. Taffey Hall, Director of the Southern Baptist Historical Library and Archives; Brittany Prescott, Podcast Producer for The Bible for Normal People; Adam McCullough, Archivist of Canadian Baptist Archives at McMaster Divinity College; Gordon Heath, Director of Canadian Baptist Archives at McMaster Divinity College; Rev. Leanne Friesen, Executive Minister of Canadian Baptists of Ontario and Quebec (CBOQ) and CBOQ executive board; and Audrey and Alex from Lawyers for Reporters.
The Bible For Normal People