Thank you for your fine article “Some things can't be ignored” [Herald, March 8]. One of my own readers informed me of this, a lady who has been in contact with me for at least a decade.
As the Baptist pioneer writer in this arena (see www.takecourage.org), one who, along with my husband, Ron, lost a career with a denominational agency almost 20 years ago because we lost all respect for top officials when we were treated like “the problem” in a case involving at least two known adolescent victims, I would at least be considered a close runner-up for having heard from the largest number of Baptist victims.
From the stories I have gotten since 1993, I believe there are a complex set of factors operating when we see collusion. For starters, it can be in a spirit of redemption, as you suggest. I'm convinced that it also involves a lot of institutional self-protection and that includes a desire to protect ourselves because we are a part of the faith community—a community that has proven repeatedly to be more unsafe than we want to acknowledge. Unsafe not just for victimized people—minors and vulnerable adults. Unsafe, as well, for people who refuse to collude.
My husband and I are not the only people we know who have lost careers because they dared to stand up and speak out. Truth is that messengers get shot, whenever they speak to people who are afraid to hear.
This spring I am leading the first-ever retreat for women who have managed to confront abuse by clergy, either as direct survivors or as advocates, in conservative circles. There is a growing awareness of the need to dialogue. Your article gives opportunity for more of this. I am always open to receiving one-on-one requests for dialogue from individuals or churches.
Dee Ann Miller is a writer and former missionary who resides in Iowa.