tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post8613960869509332309..comments2024-03-17T16:21:14.907-05:00Comments on Stop Baptist Predators: I rememberChrista Brownhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04560409585720043015noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-24785180844812148262011-02-14T09:04:01.026-06:002011-02-14T09:04:01.026-06:00Thanks for sharing this, Christa.
The self-blame ...Thanks for sharing this, Christa.<br /><br />The self-blame that victims of clergy sexual abuse suffer is part of what makes this abuse so hideous and destructive. To me this shows how difficult it is, even for the victim, to believe that their pastor, a man of God, is capable of such wrong. It's almost easier to take this burden upon ourselves.<br /><br />Thank God for friends who hang in there, like Trish did. And I'm glad that the years have brought the full picture together for her.Annettehttp://www.hopeofsurvivors.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-76035448921009173672011-02-10T10:15:55.524-06:002011-02-10T10:15:55.524-06:00Christa, thank you for sharing Trish's email. ...Christa, thank you for sharing Trish's email. What a faithful friend during some of your darkest moments. I'm incredibly grateful that you had her as your confidante and even protector at times. But I couldn't help but think how far-reaching the effects of clergy sex abuse are. <br /><br />As a college student who didn't even know your minister-abuser, Trish was affected too. Clergy sexual abuse doesn't happen in a vacuum. When you hurt a child in this way, you not only destroy them physically, emotionally, and spiritually, but you affect others too.<br /><br />As always, thank you for being open and honest and sharing your pain with us. It hurts me to read about that suicidal college girl who blamed herself for the abuse she suffered. I feel so much sadness and grief for her, but I'm proud of you for the journey you've taken. I agree that your life and work and the voice you give to survivors has had a tremendous impact.Wendynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-13891422380840085892011-02-10T10:14:23.023-06:002011-02-10T10:14:23.023-06:00Dear Christa,
I'm glad to know that you had f...Dear Christa,<br /><br />I'm glad to know that you had friends who were willing to listen in your darkest moments, to help you first to survive, and then to support your advocacy of clergy abuse victims. Thank you also for posting the suicide note from B.Z. on January 9. Tragically his sexual abuse was exposed only after it was too late to save him. <br /><br />I hope that your work and that of related organizations (SNAP, etc.) will continue to expose those who have tried to hide their crimes under the cloak of religious infallibility. Having read your book "This Little Light" and this blog for the past few months, it's clear that nothing will really change until those who have remained within the churches and other religious organizations demand accountability and openness from their leaders.Franknoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-44827964216860909692011-02-09T17:29:03.680-06:002011-02-09T17:29:03.680-06:00Christa:
I am so grateful that you are willing to ...Christa:<br />I am so grateful that you are willing to share your vulnerability and pain with the world. It is the story that so many survivors of sexual abuse also experience. Putting this pain into words helps a great deal. For many of us all we know is that it hurts. We do not know how to articulate it. The way you put the pain into words is profound. Thank you for articulating what so many of us feel. This helps survivors to know we are not alone and it helps supporters and others come to a better understanding of our pain. <br />Gratefully,<br />Barbara Blaine, SNAP President, 312 399 4747, snapblaine@gmail.comUnknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06784317819790953755noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-89829184964565319812011-02-09T17:22:47.732-06:002011-02-09T17:22:47.732-06:00Thank you Christa for sharing your friend's le...Thank you Christa for sharing your friend's letter. I too had friends who sustained me when I was at the bottom looking up.<br />Aline Frybarger, Survivor of clergy abuseAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3874123597623259718.post-45466006481373475612011-02-09T15:33:47.664-06:002011-02-09T15:33:47.664-06:00I am also profoundly grateful...for Trish's fa...I am also profoundly grateful...for Trish's faithfulness to you and for the powerful impact your life and work has had on so many.Valarienoreply@blogger.com