Just as safe in church. After all, who goes to church alone when no one else is there?
The abuse was there, as you mentioned earlier physical abuse of kids and wives
was overlooked and considered the norm. I think spare the rod and spoil the child
was often an excuse for abuse.
Sadly many in authority also were abusers but their authority gave them protection,
teachers, priests, children’s homes. My brother was raised in a children’s home run
by nuns. He was often beated and denied food for minor infringements by the nuns
who somehow thought they were beating discipline into the orphans.
The preditors years ago were those who were suppose to be taking care of the
children.
At least it’s something we are more aware of these days but it still goes on.