In this riveting discussion, Christa Brown, a sexual abuse survivor and advocate, shares her powerful journey and insights from her memoir. Joining her is David Pooler, a social work professor and expert on clergy abuse. They delve into the shocking prevalence of PTSD among survivors, revealing it often exceeds rates seen in combat veterans. The conversation critically examines systemic failures within the Southern Baptist Convention and highlights the urgent need for transparency and reform to support victims, who have been silenced for too long.
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Krista Brown's Abuse Story
Krista Brown, a Southern Baptist youth, was sexually abused by her youth pastor Tommy Gilmore starting at age 16.
Gilmore manipulated her with spiritual language and abused her repeatedly, betraying her trust and faith.
insights INSIGHT
Clergy Abuse Causes Severe PTSD
Clergy sexual abuse survivors have PTSD rates higher than combat veterans due to prolonged trauma and betrayal.
Institutional betrayal by church leaders greatly worsens the psychological harm to survivors.
insights INSIGHT
Abuse Is Not Consensual Affair
Labeling clergy sexual abuse as a consensual affair distorts power imbalances and minimizes harm.
Abuse involves coercion and betrayal, unlike true consensual relationships.
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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.
All the Buried Women