All the Buried Women

Episode 4 - People Who Have Consensual Affairs Don't End Up With PTSD

Apr 3, 2025
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.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

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.
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.
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.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app