Priest Abuse comprises a range of illegal and heinous behaviors frequently perpetrated against young children and adolescents by predatory priests or other church members involving sexual abuse of varying degrees. The assault might be a single, non-consensual scroll barevent or it can involve several acts inside an ongoing interaction. For example, an ongoing “trusting” relationship with a child created by the predatory behavior of a church associate, cloaked with the trust and reverence imputed to a member of the clergy, leading to non-consensual sexual assault acts of molestation.
Within nearly all alleged Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse situations, the failure by the Church member’s superior to entirely, adequately and promptly disclose the crime to police and other authorities, or the continuing failure to research, address and resolve fully with the occurrence amplifies the effects on the assault survivor, the community and potentially others. Current Clergy Sexual Assault cases covered in the media highlight these failures, which includes “pass-the-trash” scenarios where the abuser oftentimes a clergy in the Catholic Church, is secretly transferred from one location to another only to continue his predatory, criminal behavior on an unsuspecting parish community.
Priest and Clergy Sexual Assault and Justice Not a day goes by without a media announcement coverage regarding sexual abuse and molestation of young children by predator priests, or the aftermath of the abuse on the survivors and their families. If you are a victim of sexual abuse from a priest or other clergy member, these reports are likely to serve as an echo chamber, replaying the horror, embarrassment, guilt and various unwelcome emotions harming your well-being. Encouraged by the societal movement and other channels that encourage them to reveal the assault they experienced, survivors of assault are more frequently turning to the legal system to compensate them for the lifetime damage and injury they have experienced.
If you are a survivor of assault commited by a priest, the result of the abuse on your life and core belief system might be incalculable. Regardless, holding the responsible church and institutions to blame for their crimes and indifference might provide an amount of justice and recompense to assault survivors. Frequently, survivors can assert their legal rights through confidential mediation therein avoiding the need for litigation. However, if litigation is necessary, a motion can be filed where the victim can remain anonymous.
Predatory Behavior All abusers, to varying degrees, use predatory tactics that are generally referred to as grooming, focusing on a possible assault victim. Below is abused in church Arizona of grooming actions used by predators who are in a position of authority in relation to the subordinate child.
Grooming Grooming is a significant part of a predator’s strategy. In a church environment, the priest is revered as God’s representative. In this environment, the predator often works closely with small amounts of children, identifying each child’s needs, vulnerabilities and circumstances. Once a target is identified, these vulnerabilities – such as violent family setting, loneliness, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – can be systematically exploited in the following ways:
Trust A predator will initially try to get the child’s trust. This step is most difficult to notice as church communities are frequently tight-knit and personal relation with clergy is commonplace. Here, the predator can pretend sincere concern in the child’s wellness and groeth – both emotional and religious.
Reliance As a predator establishes a trusting relationship with the potential child-victim and oftentimes their family, 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 increased time with the predator, feeling more and more comfortable with the relationship and counting on its stability and security. In addition to attention and affection, the possible victim might receive gifts from the priest, including valuable, intangible gifts such as blessings and special recognition. Isolation As the grooming escalates, the predator will work to isolate the potential victim. This might mean solo counseling meetings, meals or various forms of one-on-one isolated moments. Sexualization The predator may start to de-sensitize the child from reacting negatively to touching, caressing and various behaviors that lead to sexual interaction. This might 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 established, the predator will try to keep control of the child and the continuing interaction. The predator will likely seek to manipulate the child by continuing to make the victim feel special and worthy. The predator will keep exploiting the target by whatever methods needed to maintain the inappropriate physical relationship.
Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors
The impact of childhood assault on the victim can be severe and life-changing. Many priest abuse 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 problems creating and keeping vibrant relationships. Individualized treatment and support groups can help victims overcome these effects.
Legally, a survivor of Clergy Sexual Abuse can gain financial compensation from the abuser and, more commonly, from the religious organization for its failure to shield the victim from the assault, as well as failures or deficiencies in its method of reviewing and responding to reports of abuse. If you are a victim of Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse and would like to confidentially discuss your situation and your legal options, we are prepared to talk with you.
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