April 13, 2026
When an individual summons the courage to report sexual abuse by a member of the clergy, what happens next can change everything. Yet in a 2023 study, "It Was Like Double Damage: An Exploration of Clergy-Perpetrated Sexual Abuse, Institutional Response, and Posttraumatic Growth," Dr. Krystal Lynne Woolston found that 32% of all potential participants never reported their abuse - a sobering reminder of just how high the stakes feel when faith, trust, and community are all on the line.
For those who did come forward, the institution's response left a lasting mark. Every person in this study experienced some form of betrayal by the very community meant to protect them — and the effects ran deep.
But here's what makes this research so compelling: the opposite is also true. When religious institutions responded with care and accountability, survivors experienced real, measurable growth. Their relationships deepened. Their sense of spirituality strengthened. Their religious commitment and overall flourishing increased.
In other words, how a faith community shows up for a survivor has the power to either deepen their wounds or help light the path toward healing. Dr. Woolston will lead us in exploring the voices of survivors and what meaningful, compassionate institutional responses look like, and why getting it right matters more than most people realize.
Dr. Krystal Lynne Woolston is a scholar and advocate whose work bridges human development, community engagement, and survivor support. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy in Family Science and Human Development, along with a Master of Arts in Counseling with a concentration in Student Affairs and a Bachelor of Arts in English — all earned at Montclair State University. She currently serves as Director of Public Service Programs at Montclair State University, leading university community engagement and public service initiatives.
Her doctoral dissertation, "It Was Like Double Damage: An Exploration of Clergy-Perpetrated Sexual Abuse, Institutional Response, and Posttraumatic Growth," reflects her deep commitment to understanding how survivors experience harm, how institutions respond, and how healing can be possible.
A committed advocate for vulnerable populations, Dr. Woolston has presented at academic conferences and within the church on clergy sexual abuse and misconduct and ways institutions can assist in the healing process for those who have been harmed.
Dr. Woolston also serves on the Greater New Jersey Annual Conference COSROW where she has spearheaded legislation to create a response team, update the conference sexual misconduct policies, and provide resources to survivors of clergy sexual misconduct.
Wednesday, April 29
1 p.m. ET | 12 p.m. CT | 11 a.m. MT | 10 a.m. PT