Jaime Simpson
@jaimesimpson.bsky.social
Australian Counsellor in the domestic violence and religious trauma space
Researcher Thesis: Broken, Shattered & Spiritually Battered. Groomed: Pastors who prey on adult congregation members. #churchtoo
Children’s Book author: A monster named zee
Researcher Thesis: Broken, Shattered & Spiritually Battered. Groomed: Pastors who prey on adult congregation members. #churchtoo
Children’s Book author: A monster named zee
Pinned
"Broken, Shattered and Spiritually Battered" - Groomed: Pastors who Prey on Adult Congregation Members #ChurchToo | QUT ePrints
Simpson, Jaime (2024) "Broken, Shattered and Spiritually Battered" - Groomed: Pastors who Prey on Adult Congregation Members #ChurchToo. Master of Philosophy thesis, Queensland University of Technology.
eprints.qut.edu.au
My theiss is now available to read
Please go gently with yourself if you read this and have lived experience of sexual grooming, or sexual harassment perpetrated by a faith leader
eprints.qut.edu.au/254237/
Please go gently with yourself if you read this and have lived experience of sexual grooming, or sexual harassment perpetrated by a faith leader
eprints.qut.edu.au/254237/
I’ve deactivated my X account. I find it is the most abusive platform. I am limiting my socials whilst I continue my PhD, but will check in here time to time
August 4, 2025 at 11:19 PM
I’ve deactivated my X account. I find it is the most abusive platform. I am limiting my socials whilst I continue my PhD, but will check in here time to time
July 1, 2025 at 10:34 AM
Out today: Baptistland & A Culture of Clergy Impunity
I ask Christa:
What is the Southern Baptist Convention, and why do they hold so much power?
What advice does she have for survivors who want to speak out?
What can faith leaders do who want to move from complicity to courage?
I ask Christa:
What is the Southern Baptist Convention, and why do they hold so much power?
What advice does she have for survivors who want to speak out?
What can faith leaders do who want to move from complicity to courage?
June 21, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Out today: Baptistland & A Culture of Clergy Impunity
I ask Christa:
What is the Southern Baptist Convention, and why do they hold so much power?
What advice does she have for survivors who want to speak out?
What can faith leaders do who want to move from complicity to courage?
I ask Christa:
What is the Southern Baptist Convention, and why do they hold so much power?
What advice does she have for survivors who want to speak out?
What can faith leaders do who want to move from complicity to courage?
insightful episode, I sit down with @dkpooler to discuss the often-overlooked issue of adult clergy sexual abuse. We explore the dynamics of grooming, coercion, boundary violations, & the misuse of pastoral power, drawing from Dr Pooler’s research insights.
jaimesimpson.substack.com/p/misuse-of-...
jaimesimpson.substack.com/p/misuse-of-...
June 8, 2025 at 12:10 AM
insightful episode, I sit down with @dkpooler to discuss the often-overlooked issue of adult clergy sexual abuse. We explore the dynamics of grooming, coercion, boundary violations, & the misuse of pastoral power, drawing from Dr Pooler’s research insights.
jaimesimpson.substack.com/p/misuse-of-...
jaimesimpson.substack.com/p/misuse-of-...
When we will we start naming the perpetration of sexual abuse of congregants in faith communities a crime syndicate. The reality is - a lot of people know and are complicit, cover it up, turn a blind eye or use scripture to minimise the abuse to everyday sin.
Abuse is a crime
Abuse is a crime
May 2, 2025 at 11:18 PM
When we will we start naming the perpetration of sexual abuse of congregants in faith communities a crime syndicate. The reality is - a lot of people know and are complicit, cover it up, turn a blind eye or use scripture to minimise the abuse to everyday sin.
Abuse is a crime
Abuse is a crime
Pastors - Spouse not giving you the attention you want - go to marriage counselling
Feeling like you are burned out - go on holiday
Thinking the ‘devil is tempting’ you - seek supervision & accountability
Stop using excuses for sexual, financial & spiritual abuse of congregants
Feeling like you are burned out - go on holiday
Thinking the ‘devil is tempting’ you - seek supervision & accountability
Stop using excuses for sexual, financial & spiritual abuse of congregants
February 17, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Pastors - Spouse not giving you the attention you want - go to marriage counselling
Feeling like you are burned out - go on holiday
Thinking the ‘devil is tempting’ you - seek supervision & accountability
Stop using excuses for sexual, financial & spiritual abuse of congregants
Feeling like you are burned out - go on holiday
Thinking the ‘devil is tempting’ you - seek supervision & accountability
Stop using excuses for sexual, financial & spiritual abuse of congregants
No one wants to report & expose clergy sexual abuse until holding it within is more painful than the reactions & judgments you will receive when you disclose. Think about that - think about the internal pain someone is in & the only way they can release is by disclosure
February 16, 2025 at 2:49 AM
No one wants to report & expose clergy sexual abuse until holding it within is more painful than the reactions & judgments you will receive when you disclose. Think about that - think about the internal pain someone is in & the only way they can release is by disclosure
To victim survivors of clergy abuse who don’t want to restore themselves back to the church - it’s ok…. I see you. Your voice is no less important.
February 12, 2025 at 9:30 PM
To victim survivors of clergy abuse who don’t want to restore themselves back to the church - it’s ok…. I see you. Your voice is no less important.
Perpetrator pastors target qualities in congregation members that they themselves lack, such as innocence, compassion, empathy, and sincerity.
They exploit the kindness and trust of others to mask their own spiritual, moral, and emotional deficits.
They exploit the kindness and trust of others to mask their own spiritual, moral, and emotional deficits.
January 31, 2025 at 9:24 PM
Perpetrator pastors target qualities in congregation members that they themselves lack, such as innocence, compassion, empathy, and sincerity.
They exploit the kindness and trust of others to mask their own spiritual, moral, and emotional deficits.
They exploit the kindness and trust of others to mask their own spiritual, moral, and emotional deficits.
“Lawyers for a Canberra doctor accused of sexual assault have told a court dozens of medical procedures will be cancelled if he remains behind bars”
Dear lawyers… I wouldn’t want an alleged sexual abuser operating on me!
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01...
Dear lawyers… I wouldn’t want an alleged sexual abuser operating on me!
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01...
Canberra doctor accused of sexually assaulting four women refused bail
The doctor is facing 20 charges against four women, including rape, assault, committing acts of indecency and using a carriage service to harass.
www.abc.net.au
January 30, 2025 at 6:28 AM
“Lawyers for a Canberra doctor accused of sexual assault have told a court dozens of medical procedures will be cancelled if he remains behind bars”
Dear lawyers… I wouldn’t want an alleged sexual abuser operating on me!
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01...
Dear lawyers… I wouldn’t want an alleged sexual abuser operating on me!
www.abc.net.au/news/2025-01...
Guess what teachers …. Teenagers grow up and realise your sexual pursuit of them at school was not ok!
www.vanityfair.com/style/story/...
www.vanityfair.com/style/story/...
January 23, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Guess what teachers …. Teenagers grow up and realise your sexual pursuit of them at school was not ok!
www.vanityfair.com/style/story/...
www.vanityfair.com/style/story/...
Freedom of speech … is that only for those who conform to the new leaderships way of thinking… sounds like the church I know… you need to think like us, act like us to be accepted as us!
Thank you Bishop for showing me otherwise
Thank you Bishop for showing me otherwise
January 23, 2025 at 1:23 AM
Freedom of speech … is that only for those who conform to the new leaderships way of thinking… sounds like the church I know… you need to think like us, act like us to be accepted as us!
Thank you Bishop for showing me otherwise
Thank you Bishop for showing me otherwise
Escaping Utopia - three-part documentary series exposes the dark secrets that lurk behind this strict Christian sect, and the distorted doctrines that bind the people to this oppressive existence for life.
iview.abc.net.au/show/escapin...
iview.abc.net.au/show/escapin...
https://iview.abc.net.au/show/escaping-utopia
t.co
January 21, 2025 at 10:47 AM
Escaping Utopia - three-part documentary series exposes the dark secrets that lurk behind this strict Christian sect, and the distorted doctrines that bind the people to this oppressive existence for life.
iview.abc.net.au/show/escapin...
iview.abc.net.au/show/escapin...
Abusive Pastors in your 60s and beyond… guess what .. the teenagers you abused grow up! You can’t control their silence forever - They have their own children / grandchildren & are now in place where they no longer fear you - & are telling the world what you did to them!
January 11, 2025 at 7:41 AM
Abusive Pastors in your 60s and beyond… guess what .. the teenagers you abused grow up! You can’t control their silence forever - They have their own children / grandchildren & are now in place where they no longer fear you - & are telling the world what you did to them!
I believe many pastors wives are living in coercive controlling marriages. Therefore often entrapped & blind to the betrayals in front of them. YET - when a crime has been committed & their pastor spouse abuses a congregation member - wives need to find safety to also speak out!
January 11, 2025 at 7:39 AM
I believe many pastors wives are living in coercive controlling marriages. Therefore often entrapped & blind to the betrayals in front of them. YET - when a crime has been committed & their pastor spouse abuses a congregation member - wives need to find safety to also speak out!
Excited to be presenting the outcomes from my research on adult clergy sexual abuse. The grooming tactics very clear in the data.
January 11, 2025 at 7:02 AM
Excited to be presenting the outcomes from my research on adult clergy sexual abuse. The grooming tactics very clear in the data.
Australia friends - this is 11:30am Tuesday 28th January - Would love you to join
January 10, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Australia friends - this is 11:30am Tuesday 28th January - Would love you to join
Red flag…. If your pastor is married & doesn’t wear a ring … or takes it off suddenly… run… run far away from that church! Better… elders or governing boards - fire them.
January 2, 2025 at 10:50 AM
Red flag…. If your pastor is married & doesn’t wear a ring … or takes it off suddenly… run… run far away from that church! Better… elders or governing boards - fire them.
I won’t stop talking about abuse by pastors, if it makes people uncomfortable good - it should. How does one get up and speak of the “one” who brings truth -yet, when substantiated accusations of sexual exploitation of congregation members arise - they can’t speak truth themself
#churchtoo
#churchtoo
December 29, 2024 at 12:29 AM
I won’t stop talking about abuse by pastors, if it makes people uncomfortable good - it should. How does one get up and speak of the “one” who brings truth -yet, when substantiated accusations of sexual exploitation of congregation members arise - they can’t speak truth themself
#churchtoo
#churchtoo
As a pastor if your “sexual sin”you asked forgiveness for, so you can get back on the platform - causes significant distress to the congregation you harmed, your family or the victims of clergy abuse & you still take the platform knowing this - are you actually truely repentant?
December 22, 2024 at 10:34 PM
As a pastor if your “sexual sin”you asked forgiveness for, so you can get back on the platform - causes significant distress to the congregation you harmed, your family or the victims of clergy abuse & you still take the platform knowing this - are you actually truely repentant?
1/2 When a pastor notices you & makes you their sexual target - the betrayal is multifaceted resulting in the significant fracture of the victims sense of self & safety, their connection to their community faith & spirituality, & their sexual health.
December 22, 2024 at 10:33 PM
1/2 When a pastor notices you & makes you their sexual target - the betrayal is multifaceted resulting in the significant fracture of the victims sense of self & safety, their connection to their community faith & spirituality, & their sexual health.
1. Predatory pastors are skilled at breaking down their targets defenses, creating chaos, spiritually gaslighting their target, using God to triangulate and isolating their victim to monopolize their perception. Sometimes this results in the victim believing they are loved & …
December 19, 2024 at 9:47 AM
1. Predatory pastors are skilled at breaking down their targets defenses, creating chaos, spiritually gaslighting their target, using God to triangulate and isolating their victim to monopolize their perception. Sometimes this results in the victim believing they are loved & …
What do people who bring forth true allegations of sexual harm from a pastor need:
1. Transparency
2. Truth
3. Accountability
4. Justice
Because this = true freedom from entrapment.
They are not looking for:
1. Fame
2. Money
3. More shame
4. Spiritual justification
1. Transparency
2. Truth
3. Accountability
4. Justice
Because this = true freedom from entrapment.
They are not looking for:
1. Fame
2. Money
3. More shame
4. Spiritual justification
December 18, 2024 at 9:59 AM
What do people who bring forth true allegations of sexual harm from a pastor need:
1. Transparency
2. Truth
3. Accountability
4. Justice
Because this = true freedom from entrapment.
They are not looking for:
1. Fame
2. Money
3. More shame
4. Spiritual justification
1. Transparency
2. Truth
3. Accountability
4. Justice
Because this = true freedom from entrapment.
They are not looking for:
1. Fame
2. Money
3. More shame
4. Spiritual justification
Thanks for engaging with my research
December 18, 2024 at 4:05 AM
Thanks for engaging with my research
Fascinating that we demand alleged victims to provide evidence of abuse and expect no evidence back from the alleged perpetrator to prove they didn’t perpetrate abuse. Most victims slowly disclose details hoping they don’t need to disclose their full experience.
December 17, 2024 at 8:55 PM
Fascinating that we demand alleged victims to provide evidence of abuse and expect no evidence back from the alleged perpetrator to prove they didn’t perpetrate abuse. Most victims slowly disclose details hoping they don’t need to disclose their full experience.