Priest Abuse encompasses a range of immoral and improper actions commonly perpetrated on kids and adolescents by pedophilic clergy or other church members involving sexual abuse of varying amounts. The assault may be a one-off, non-consensual scroll barencounter or it can involve several acts inside an ongoing interaction. For instance, a continuing “trusting” interaction with a young child spawned by the predatory intent of a church member, cloaked with the trust and respect provided to a priest, leading to non-consensual sexual abuse acts of molestation.
Within most alleged Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse scenarios, the short-coming by the Clergy member’s employer to fully, adequately and immediately report the offense to police and other authorities, or the continuing failure to research, handle and deal fully with the situation amplifies the harm on the abuse survivor, the community and possibly others. Recent Church Sexual Assault cases reported in the media highlight these failures, including “pass-the-trash” situations where the perpetrator oftentimes a priest in the Catholic Church, is suddenly moved from one location to another merely to continue his predatory, criminal action on an innocent parish community.
Priest and Clergy Sexual Abuse & Justice Not a day passes without a news headline reporting regarding sexual assault and molestation of children by pedophile priests, or the effects of the abuse on the victims and their families. If you are a victim of sexual abuse from a priest or other church member, these stories are likely to serve as an echo chamber, replaying the horror, shame, guilt and other unwelcome feelings harming your well-being. Encouraged by the social movement and other channels that encourage victims to disclose the abuse they suffered, survivors of abuse are increasingly employing the legal system to compensate them for the lifelong damage and injury they have experienced.
If you are a survivor of assault perpetrated by a priest, the impact of the abuse on your life and foundational belief system can be incalculable. Regardless, holding abused in church San Antonio TX and institutions to blame for their crimes and failures can provide a measure of justice and recompense to abuse victims. Frequently, victims can leverage their legal rights in confidential mediation therein avoiding the need for litigation. But, if litigation is required, a motion may be filed where the victim can remain anonymous.
Abusive Behavior All abusers, to varying degrees, employ predatory tricks which are generally known as grooming, aiming at a potential assault victim. Below is a survey of grooming behaviors exhibited by predators who are in a position of authority relative to the subordinate child.
Grooming Grooming is a significant piece of a predator’s strategy. In a religious environment, the clergy member is viewed as God’s representative. In this setting, the predator frequently works closely with small amounts of children, understanding each child’s needs, vulnerabilities and situations. Once a target is identified, these vulnerabilities – like violent family setting, loneliness, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – may 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 notice as religious communities are often tight-knit and personal relation with clergy is commonplace. Here, the predator can pretend genuine concern in the child’s wellness and groeth – both emotional and religious.
Reliance As a predator creates a trusting relationship with the potential target and oftentimes their family members, the child will begin to rely more and more on the predator for whatever need it is that the predator is exploiting and fulfilling. The victim will devote more time with the predator, feeling more comfortable with the relationship and counting on its stability and security. In addition to attention and affection, the potential victim may receive presents from the priest, including valuable, intangible gifts like blessings and special recognition. Isolation While grooming progresses, the predator may work to isolate the possible target. This might result in individual counseling sessions, meals or various forms of one-on-one isolated moments. Sexualization The predator will begin to de-sensitize the child from reacting negatively to contact, caressing and various behaviors that lead to sexual interaction. This may start with breaking the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with suggestive messages to determine the victim’s response to the progression. This will continue until the relationship gets to one of a physical, sexual nature. Maintenance Once the sexual relationship is established, the predator will try to maintain control over the child and the continuing interaction. The predator may likely seek to manipulate the child by continuing to make the victim feel special and worthy. The predator will continue to exploit the target by whatever methods needed to maintain the immoral physical relationship.
Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors
The impact of childhood abuse on the survivor can be severe and life-changing. Several priest abuse 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 difficulty establishing and keeping vibrant relationships. Individualized therapy and support groups can help victims overcome these effects.
Legally, a victim of Clergy Sexual Abuse can gain financial compensation from the predator and, more commonly, from the religious organization for its failure to protect the victim from the assault, as well as failures or deficiencies in its process of reviewing and resolving to reports of assault. If you are a survivor of Priest or Clergy Sexual Assault and would like to confidentially discuss your experience and your legal options, we are prepared to speak with you.
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