Priest Sexual Abuse comprises a wide-range of immoral and heinous actions often commited against kids and adolescents by predatory clergy or other church members involving sexual abuse of varying amounts. The sexual assault might be a one-off, non-consensual scroll barevent or it might include several assaults inside a continuing interaction. For instance, an ongoing “trusting” relationship with a child spawned by the predatory intent of a church member, blanketed with the trust and respect imputed to a priest, leading to non-consensual sexual attack acts of molestation.
In all claimed Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse scenarios, the short-coming by the Clergy member’s superior to fully, adequately and immediately disclose the offense to police and other authorities, or the further failure to research, cope with and deal entirely with the occurrence increases the effects on the abuse survivor, the community and potentially others. Current Priest Sexual Abuse cases reported in the media uncover these short-comings, which includes “pass-the-trash” scenarios when the predator commonly a priest in the Catholic Church, is silently transferred from one parish to another only to continue his predatory, criminal action on an unsuspecting parish community.
Priest and Clergy Sexual Assault and Justice Not a day goes by without a media announcement reporting about sexual abuse and molestation of children by predator priests, or the aftermath of the assault on the victims and their families. If you are a victim of sexual assault 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 emotions staining your well-being. Encouraged by the social movement and other pathways that encourage them to reveal the abuse they experienced, survivors of abuse are increasingly turning to the legal system to compensate them for the lifelong harm and injury they have suffered.
If you are a survivor of assault commited by a priest, the impact of the abuse on your life and core belief system may be immeasurable. Regardless, holding the responsible priest and institutions to blame for their crimes and indifference might provide a measure of justice and recompense to assault victims. Commonly, victims 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.
Abusive Behavior All abusers, to varying amounts, employ predatory tricks that are commonly referred to as grooming, tracking a possible assault victim. Below is a survey of grooming actions exhibited by predators who are in a position of authority relative to the subordinate young child.
Grooming Grooming is a major part of a predator’s strategy. In a church environment, the clergy member is viewed as God’s representative. Within this environment, the predator frequently works closely with small numbers of children, identifying each child’s needs, vulnerabilities and situations. Once a target is located, these vulnerabilities – such as tumultuous family setting, isolation, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – might be systematically exploited in the following ways:
Trust An assaulter will initially try to gain the child’s trust. This step is most difficult to discern as religious communities are often tight-knit and personal interaction with clergy is commonplace. Here, the predator can feign sincere interest in the child’s wellbeing and development – both emotional and religious.
Reliance As a predator creates a trusting relationship with the potential target and oftentimes their family, 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 may devote increased time with the predator, feeling more comfortable with the relationship and relying on its stability and security. In addition to attention and affection, the possible victim might receive gifts from the predator, including valuable, intangible gifts such as blessings and special recognition. Isolation While grooming progresses, the predator may try to isolate the possible victim. This might result in single counseling meetings, meals or other forms 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 begin with breaking the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with inappropriate messages to gauge the victim’s response to the progression. This will escalate until the relationship advances to one of a physical, sexual nature. Maintenance As the sexual relationship is established, the predator will try to keep control over the child and the continuing interaction. The priest may likely want to manipulate the victim by continuing to make the target feel special and worthy. The predator will continue to exploit the target by whatever ways needed to maintain the inappropriate physical relationship.
Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors
The effect of childhood assault on the victim can be overwhelming and life-altering. Many priest 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 difficulty establishing and maintaining vibrant relationships. Individualized therapy and support groups can assist victims overcome these effects.
priest abuse Hartford Connecticut , a victim of Priest Sexual Assault may recover financial compensation from the abuser and, more commonly, from the religious organization for its failure to protect the child from the abuse, as well as failures or deficiencies in its process of reviewing and responding to reports of assault. If you are a survivor of Priest or Clergy Sexual Assault and would like to confidentially discuss your situation and your legal options, we are ready to talk with you.
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