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Clergy Sexual Abuse comprises a range of illegal and heinous acts frequently perpetrated against children and adolescents by predatory clergy or other church employees involving sexual assault of varying amounts. The abuse might be a one-time, non-consensual scroll barevent or it might involve numerous acts within a continuing interaction. For example, a continuing “trusting” interaction with a child spawned by the predatory intent of a clergy member, blanketed by the trust and respect provided to a priest, leading to non-consensual sexual attack acts of molestation.

In all alleged Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse situations, the failure by the Clergy member’s employer to entirely, adequately and immediately report the crime to law enforcement and other authorities, or its further failure to research, handle and resolve fully with the occurrence increases the harm on the abuse survivor, the community and possibly others. Recent Church Sexual Abuse cases reported in the media highlight these failures, which includes “pass-the-trash” situations where the perpetrator commonly a clergy in the Catholic Church, is suddenly re-assigned from one church to another only to continue his predatory, criminal action on an innocent parish community.

Priest and Clergy Sexual Abuse & Retribution

Not a week goes by without a news announcement reporting regarding sexual assault and molestation of young children by pedophile priests, or the legacy of the abuse on the survivors and their families. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse from a priest or other church member, these articles are most likely to act as an echo chamber, reverberating the horror, embarrassment, guilt and various unwanted feelings staining your well-being. Encouraged by the societal movement and other pathways that encourage victims to disclose the abuse they suffered, victims of assault are more frequently employing the legal system to compensate them for the lifelong harm and injury they have experienced.

If you are a survivor of abuse perpetrated by a priest, the impact of the abuse on your life and foundational belief system may be immeasurable. Regardless, holding the responsible clergy and institutions to blame for their crimes and indifference can provide an amount of justice and recompense to abuse survivors. Commonly,

church lawsuit can assert their legal rights through confidential mediation therein avoiding the need for litigation. But, if litigation is necessary, a case might be filed where the plaintiff can remain anonymous.

Predatory Behavior

All predators, to varying degrees, use predatory methods that are commonly referred to as grooming, focusing on a potential assault victim. Below is a survey of grooming actions used by predators who are in a position of authority relative to the subordinate child.

Grooming

Grooming is a major part of a predator’s strategy. In a church setting, the clergy member is held as God’s representative. In this setting, the predator often works closely with small numbers of children, understanding each child’s needs, vulnerabilities and circumstances. Once a target is located, these vulnerabilities – like tumultuous family setting, isolation, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – can be systematically leveraged in the following ways:

Trust

A predator will first work to gain the child’s trust. This step is most difficult to discern as church communities are frequently tight-knit and personal relation with clergy is commonplace. Here, the assaulter can feign genuine interest in the child’s wellness and groeth – both emotional and religious.

Reliance

As a predator creates a trusting relationship with the potential child-victim and oftentimes their family, the child will begin to rely more and more on the predator for any need it is that the priest is exploiting and fulfilling. The child will spend more time with the priest, feeling more and more comfortable with the relationship and counting on its stability and security. In addition to attention and affection, the potential target may receive presents from the predator, including valuable, intangible gifts like blessings and special recognition.

Isolation

While grooming escalates, the predator may work to isolate the potential victim. This might result in individual counseling sessions, meals or various forms of one-on-one isolated moments.

Sexualization

The predator may begin to de-sensitize the child from reacting negatively to touching, caressing and other behaviors that lead to sexual interaction. This could begin with crossing the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with suggestive messages to gauge the victim’s reaction to the progression. This will escalate until the relationship advances to one of a physical, sexual nature.

Maintenance

Once the sexual relationship is created, the predator will work to keep control of the child and the continuing interaction. The priest will likely want to manipulate the child by continuing to make the victim feel special and worthy. The predator will continue to exploit the target by whatever ways necessary to maintain the immoral physical relationship.

Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors

The effect of childhood abuse on the victim can be severe and life-changing. Many clergy assault survivors suffer from lifelong effects of the abuse including depression, disturbed sleeping, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse and eating patterns, and problems creating and keeping healthy relationships. Individualized treatment and support groups can assist victims overcome these effects.

Legally, a victim of Priest Sexual Abuse can gain financial compensation from the abuser and, more frequently, from the religious organization for its failure to shield the victim from the assault, as well as failures or deficiencies in its method of reviewing and resolving to reports of assault. If you are a survivor of Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse and would like to confidentially discuss your experience and your legal options, we are ready to talk with you.