Clergy Abuse comprises a wide-range of immoral and improper acts commonly perpetrated against kids and teens by predatory priests or other church members involving sexual abuse of varying degrees. The sexual assault might be a single, non-consensual scroll barevent or it can include many assaults inside an ongoing interaction. For instance, an ongoing “trusting” interaction with a young child spawned by the predatory intent of a church associate, cloaked by the trust and respect imputed to a member of the clergy, leading to non-consensual sexual assault acts of molestation.
In most alleged Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse situations, the short-coming by the Clergy member’s superior to completely, adequately and immediately report the crime to law enforcement and other authorities, or its further failure to research, address and resolve entirely with the situation increases the effects on the abuse survivor, the community and possibly others. Recent Church Sexual Abuse cases covered in the press highlight these short-comings, including “pass-the-trash” scenarios where the predator commonly a priest in the Catholic Church, is silently moved from one location to another only to continue his predatory, criminal action on an unsuspecting parish community.
Priest and Clergy Sexual Assault & Justice Not a week goes by without a news announcement coverage regarding sexual abuse and molestation of young children by predator clergy, or the legacy of the assault on the survivors and their families. If you are a survivor of sexual assault from a priest or other church member, these stories are most likely to serve as an echo chamber, replaying the horror, embarrassment, guilt and various unwanted feelings staining your well-being. Encouraged by the societal movement and other channels that encourage survivors to disclose the assault they experienced, victims of abuse are more frequently turning to the legal system to compensate them for the lifelong damage and injury they have suffered.
If you are a victim of abuse perpetrated by a member of the clergy, the result of the abuse on your life and core belief system might be immeasurable. Regardless, holding the responsible clergy and institutions to blame for their crimes and failures can provide a measure of justice and recompense to abuse victims. Commonly, survivors can leverage their legal rights in confidential mediation therein avoiding the need for litigation. However, if abused in church New York is necessary, a motion may be filed where the victim can remain anonymous.
Predatory Behavior All abusers, to varying amounts, use predatory tricks that are generally referred to as grooming, targeting a potential abuse victim. Below is a list of grooming actions exhibited by predators who are in a job of authority relative to the subordinate child.
Grooming Grooming is a major part of a predator’s ploy. In a religious environment, the priest is revered as God’s representative. Within this setting, the predator frequently works closely with small amounts of children, understanding each child’s needs, weaknesses and situations. Once a victim is located, these vulnerabilities – like tumultuous family setting, loneliness, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – might be systematically exploited in the following ways:
Trust A predator will first try to gain the child’s trust. This strategy is most difficult to notice as church communities are often tight-knit and personal relation with clergy is commonplace. Here, the assaulter can pretend sincere interest in the child’s wellbeing and development – both emotional and religious.
Reliance As a predator creates a trusting relationship with the potential victim and oftentimes their family, the child will begin to rely more and more on the predator for whatever need it is that the priest is exploiting and fulfilling. The child may spend increased time with the priest, feeling more and more comfortable with the relationship and relying on its stability and security. In addition to attention and affection, the possible target may receive presents from the predator, including valuable, intangible gifts like blessings and special recognition. Isolation While grooming progresses, the predator might try to isolate the possible target. This may result in individual counseling sessions, meals or various 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 actions that lead to sexual interaction. This might begin with breaking the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with inappropriate 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 predator may likely seek to manipulate the victim by continuing to make the target feel special and worthy. The predator will continue to exploit the target by whatever methods needed to maintain the inappropriate physical relationship.
Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors
The effect of childhood abuse on the survivor can be severe and life-changing. Several priest assault survivors suffer from long-term 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 healthy relationships. Individualized treatment and support groups can assist survivors overcome these effects.
Legally, a survivor of Clergy Sexual Assault may recover 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 responding to reports of assault. If you are a victim of Priest or Clergy Sexual Assault and would like to confidentially discuss your experience and your legal options, we are prepared to talk with you.
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