Priest Sexual Abuse comprises a range of immoral and unacceptable actions frequently commited on children and teens by predatory priests or other church employees involving sexual abuse of varying amounts. The abuse can be a one-off, non-consensual scroll barencounter or it can include numerous assaults within a continuing interaction. For example, an ongoing “trusting” relationship 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 superior to fully, adequately and promptly report the offense to police and other authorities, or the continuing failure to investigate, address and resolve fully with the occurrence increases the effects on the assault survivor, the community and potentially others. Recent Church Sexual Abuse cases reported in the media highlight these failures, which includes “pass-the-trash” situations when the perpetrator frequently a clergy in the Catholic Church, is secretly moved from one location to another merely to continue his predatory, criminal action on an unsuspecting parish community.
Priest and Clergy Sexual Assault and Retribution Not a week passes without a news announcement coverage regarding sexual assault and molestation of young children by pedophile clergy, or the aftermath of the assault on the survivors and their families. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse from a priest or other church member, these reports are likely to serve as an echo chamber, reverberating the horror, shame, guilt and other unwanted emotions hurting your wellness. Encouraged by the social movement and other pathways that encourage them to reveal 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 survivor of assault commited by a member of the clergy, the result of the abuse on your life and foundational belief system may be incalculable. Nonetheless, holding the responsible church and institutions to blame for their crimes and indifference might offer an amount of justice and recompense to abuse victims. Oftentimes, victims can leverage their legal rights in confidential mediation thereby avoiding the need for litigation. But, if litigation is required, a motion can be filed where the victim can remain anonymous.
Predatory Behavior All abusers, to varying degrees, use predatory methods which are generally known as grooming, targeting a potential abuse victim. Following is a list of grooming behaviors used 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 church environment, the priest is revered as God’s representative. Within this environment, the predator often works closely with small numbers of children, understanding each child’s needs, weaknesses and situations. Once a victim is located, these vulnerabilities – such as tumultuous family setting, loneliness, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – can be systematically leveraged 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 frequently tight-knit and personal interaction with clergy is commonplace. Here, the predator can feign sincere concern in the child’s wellbeing 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 begin to rely more and more on the predator for whatever need it is that the predator is exploiting and fulfilling. The victim will spend 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 target might receive gifts from the predator, including valuable, intangible presents such as blessings and special recognition. Isolation While grooming continues, the predator may try to isolate the potential target. This may mean solo counseling sessions, meals or various methods of one-on-one isolated encounters. Sexualization The predator will begin to de-sensitize the target from reacting negatively to contact, caressing and various behaviors that lead to sexual interaction. This could begin with breaking the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with suggestive messages to gauge the victim’s reaction to the progression. This will escalate until the relationship gets to one of a physical, sexual nature. Maintenance As the sexual relationship is created, the predator will work to maintain control over the child and the continued interaction. The priest will likely seek to manipulate the victim by continuing to make the target feel special and worthy. priest abuse Texas will continue to exploit the target by whatever ways needed to maintain the immoral physical relationship.
Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors
The effect of childhood assault on the survivor can be severe and life-changing. Several clergy abuse 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 creating and maintaining vibrant relationships. Individualized therapy and support groups can assist victims overcome these effects.
Legally, a survivor of Clergy Sexual Abuse can recover financial compensation from the abuser and, more frequently, from the church for its failure to protect the child from the assault, 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 Abuse and would like to confidentially discuss your situation and your legal options, we are ready to talk with you.
|