This survivor-led presentation examines how systems of silence within family, religion, culture, and institutions can increase vulnerability to exploitation, coercion, and trafficking. Drawing from selected excerpts of “Sacrificed by the Priesthood” – an autobiographical narrative and educational framework based on the presenter’s lived experience – the session explores how early betrayal trauma, obedience-based conditioning, purity culture, and institutional authority can shape long-term trauma responses that persist across decades. Through personal narrative integrated with trauma-informed research, the presentation demonstrates how behaviors often misunderstood by professionals – such as silence, dissociation, minimization, delayed disclosure, attachment to harmful systems, and trauma-encoded compliance – may function as adaptive survival responses rather than resistance or pathology. The session incorporates insights from complex trauma, attachment theory, neurobiology, and survivor-informed advocacy to help participants better understand the long-term impact of institutional betrayal and chronic silencing. Attendees will be encouraged to critically examine how systems sometimes protect reputation, authority, or structure over vulnerable individuals. Practical implications for multidisciplinary professionals, advocates, educators, faith leaders, and survivor-support communities include trauma-informed communication, ethical response to disclosure, and approaches that prioritize safety, dignity, and survivor agency. By combining lived experience with educational analysis, this presentation invites participants to recognize patterns of systemic harm while strengthening compassionate, survivor-centered responses.
Trigger Warning: This presentation contains information (written, spoken, or visual) that may be triggering or (re)traumatizing to attendees.
Shirley Crane is an elder witness, community educator, and advocate focused on the intersection of trauma, institutional silence, and survivor-led healing. Drawing from lived experience over five decades, she develops and facilitates creative writing programs exploring trauma, coercive control, religious harm, and pathways toward healing and self-reclamation.