Introduction
摘要
This book investigates the pervasive yet often hidden problem of clergy sexual misconduct in Korean Protestant churches, focusing on how deeply rooted cultural and institutional factors affect victim-survivors’ ability to speak and heal. Drawing on qualitative data—including publicly available accounts and interviews with those who have experienced clergy-perpetrated abuse—the study reveals how patriarchal church hierarchies, militarized power structures, and colonial legacies reinforce silencing. Victim-survivors, primarily adult women are left to navigate not only personal trauma but also theological and cultural expectations that may discourage them from disclosing abuse. Central to this work is the concept of “invisible masks,” which symbolizes how both perpetrators and enabling institutions hide behind façades of spiritual authority, while victim-survivors frequently feel pressured to remain silent to protect communal harmony and religious reputation. Through an interdisciplinary approach that integrates feminist and womanist theology, decolonial theory, narrative analysis, intercultural pastoral care, and trauma-informed care, this book expands beyond individual psychological frameworks to interrogate the social, cultural, and theological systems that normalize and perpetuate abuse. By reframing what it means to “center” victim-survivors in pastoral care, the text underscores the need for sustained support, institutional accountability, and cultural transformation within faith-based communities. While focused on Korean Protestant churches, its insights offer broader implications for any faith-based community seeking effective strategies to address clergy sexual misconduct.