Priest Abuse encompasses a wide-range of illegal and improper actions commonly commited on kids and teens by predatory clergy or other church employees involving sexual assault of varying degrees. The sexual assault might be a one-time, non-consensual scroll barencounter or it can include numerous acts within an ongoing interaction. For instance, a continuing “trusting” interaction with a young child spawned by the predatory intent of a clergy associate, cloaked with the trust and respect provided to a member of the clergy, leading to non-consensual sexual assault acts of molestation.
Within all claimed Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse scenarios, the failure by the Church member’s employer to fully, adequately and promptly report the crime to police and other authorities, or the continuing failure to investigate, address and resolve entirely with the situation increases the harm on the abuse survivor, the community and possibly others. Recent Clergy Sexual Abuse cases covered in the press highlight these failures, including “pass-the-trash” situations when the perpetrator oftentimes a priest in the Catholic Church, is silently moved from one location to another merely to continue his predatory, criminal behavior on an innocent parish community.
Priest and Clergy Sexual Abuse and Retribution Not a day goes by without a media headline reporting regarding sexual assault and molestation of children by predator clergy, or the aftermath 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 stories are most likely to serve as an echo chamber, reverberating the horror, shame, guilt and various unwelcome emotions staining your well-being. Encouraged by the social movement and other channels that encourage survivors to reveal the assault they suffered, survivors of assault 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 abuse commited by a priest, the result of the abuse on your life and foundational belief system may be incalculable. Regardless, holding the responsible church and institutions to blame for their crimes and failures can offer a measure of justice and recompense to abuse victims. Oftentimes, survivors can assert their legal rights in confidential mediation thereby 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, employ predatory methods that are commonly known as grooming, focusing on a potential assault victim. Following is a list of grooming behaviors exhibited by predators who are in a position of authority in relation to the subordinate young child.
Grooming Grooming is a significant part of a predator’s strategy. In a church environment, the clergy member is revered as God’s representative. Within this environment, the predator frequently works closely with small amounts of children, understanding each child’s needs, vulnerabilities and situations. Once a victim is located, 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 initially 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 priest can pretend genuine interest in the child’s wellness and development – both emotional and religious.
Reliance As a predator establishes a trusting relationship with the potential target and oftentimes their family, the child will start to rely more and more on the predator for any need it is that the priest is exploiting and fulfilling. The victim will devote increased time with the priest, feeling 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 presents like blessings and special recognition. Isolation While grooming progresses, the predator might work to isolate the possible victim. This might mean individual counseling sessions, meals or other forms of one-on-one isolated moments. Sexualization The predator will start to de-sensitize the child from reacting negatively to touching, caressing and other behaviors that lead to sexual interaction. This could start with breaking the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with inappropriate messages to determine the victim’s reaction to the progression. This will escalate until the relationship gets to one of a physical, sexual nature. Maintenance Once the sexual relationship is established, the predator will work to keep control of the child and the continuing interaction. The predator may 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 necessary to maintain the inappropriate physical relationship.
abused in church Texas on Clergy Abuse Survivors
The effect of childhood assault on the survivor can be severe and life-altering. Many clergy assault survivors suffer from lifelong 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 maintaining vibrant relationships. Individualized therapy and support groups can help survivors overcome these effects.
Legally, a victim of Priest Sexual Abuse can gain financial compensation from the abuser and, more frequently, from the church 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 victim of Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse and would like to confidentially discuss your experience and your legal options, we are prepared to speak with you.
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