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Church Sexual Abuse encompasses a wide-range of immoral and improper acts frequently commited on kids and tweens by pedophilic priests or other church members involving sexual assault of varying degrees. The sexual assault can be a one-time, non-consensual scroll barencounter or it can involve numerous assaults inside an ongoing interaction. For instance, a continuing “trusting” relationship with a young child spawned by the predatory behavior of a clergy associate, blanketed by the trust and respect imputed to a member of the clergy, leading to non-consensual sexual assault acts of molestation.

In nearly all alleged Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse scenarios, the failure by the Clergy member’s superior to fully, adequately and promptly report the offense to law enforcement and other authorities, or the continuing failure to research, handle and resolve entirely with the occurrence increases the effects on the abuse survivor, the community and possibly others. Current Clergy Sexual Assault cases covered in the press highlight these short-comings, that includes “pass-the-trash” situations when the abuser commonly a clergy in the Catholic Church, is suddenly transferred from one location to another merely to continue his predatory, criminal behavior on an unsuspecting parish community.

Priest and Clergy Sexual Assault and Justice

Not a week goes by without a news announcement coverage about sexual abuse and molestation of young children by pedophile clergy, or the aftermath of the assault on the survivors and their families. If you are a victim of sexual assault from a priest or other clergy member, these reports are likely to serve as an echo chamber, reverberating the horror, shame, guilt and other unwelcome thoughts staining your wellness. Encouraged by the societal movement and other channels that encourage victims to reveal the abuse they suffered, survivors of abuse are increasingly turning to the legal system to compensate them for the life-long harm and injury they have suffered.

If you are a victim of assault commited by a priest, the result of the abuse on your life and core belief system may be immeasurable. Nonetheless, holding the responsible person and institutions accountable for their crimes and failures might provide a measure of justice and recompense to abuse survivors. Commonly, survivors can leverage their legal rights through confidential mediation thereby avoiding the need for litigation. However, if litigation is necessary, a motion may be filed where the victim can remain anonymous.

Predatory Behavior

All abusers, to varying degrees, use predatory tactics which are commonly referred to as grooming, tracking a possible assault victim. Below is a list of grooming behaviors exhibited by predators who are in a job of authority in relation to the subordinate young child.

Grooming

Grooming is a major piece of a predator’s ploy. In a church environment, the clergy member is held as God’s representative. Within this setting, the predator frequently works closely with small numbers of children, understanding each child’s needs, vulnerabilities and circumstances. Once

abused in church is identified, these vulnerabilities – like tumultuous family setting, loneliness, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – can be systematically exploited in the following ways:

Trust

An assaulter will first try to gain the child’s trust. This step is most difficult to discern as religious communities are frequently tight-knit and personal interaction with clergy is commonplace. Here, the priest can feign sincere concern in the child’s wellbeing and groeth – both emotional and religious.

Reliance

As a predator establishes a trusting relationship with the potential victim and oftentimes their family members, the child will start to rely more and more on the predator for whatever need it is that the priest is exploiting and fulfilling. The victim will devote more time with the priest, feeling more comfortable with the relationship and relying on its stability and security. In addition to attention and affection, the potential target might receive presents from the predator, including valuable, intangible presents like blessings and special recognition.

Isolation

As the grooming continues, the predator might work to isolate the potential victim. This might result in solo counseling sessions, meals or various methods of one-on-one isolated encounters.

Sexualization

The predator might start to de-sensitize the target from reacting negatively to touching, caressing and other behaviors that lead to sexual interaction. This may start with breaking the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with suggestive messages to gauge the victim’s response to the progression. This will continue 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 means needed to maintain the inappropriate physical relationship.

Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors

The impact of childhood assault on the victim can be overwhelming and life-changing. Several priest abuse survivors suffer from long-term effects of the assault including depression, disturbed sleeping, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse and eating patterns, and problems establishing and keeping healthy relationships. Individualized therapy and support groups can help survivors overcome these effects.

Legally, a victim of Priest Sexual Assault can gain financial compensation from the abuser and, more commonly, from the church for its failure to protect the child from the assault, as well as failures or deficiencies in its process of reviewing and responding to reports of abuse. 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 speak with you.