Christa Brown, author of Baptistland and survivor of sexual abuse as a minor in a Southern Baptist church, says,
"The all-encompassing nature of church life can provide predators with the ideal cover for committing sexual abuse within congregations."
Pastors enjoy access, trust, and authority. Church members, especially females, are taught to be submissive, above all to "men of God." The reflex response within churches is to cover up abuse.
