THE abuse of children by church leaders, teachers and parents who take part in youth programmes is a problem in the Bahamas, and reflective of a deep problem in society, according to Dr Sandra Dean Patterson, the director of the Bahamas Crisis Centre. Speaking to The Tribune in the aftermath of the verdict involving Bishop Randy Fraser who was found guilty of having sexual intercourse with a minor on Tuesday, Dr. Patterson said that "people need to be aware when they go seeking special services that there are people they trust that pose threats to them". Dr Sandra Dean-Patterson opened the Crisis Centre in 1982. The non-profit organisation provides services to people who are victims of physical, sexual and emotional abuse.