Priest Sexual Abuse comprises a wide-range of illegal and heinous actions commonly perpetrated on young children and adolescents by pedophilic clergy or other church employees involving sexual abuse of varying amounts. The sexual assault might be a one-off, non-consensual scroll barevent or it may include several acts inside an ongoing interaction. For instance, a continuing “trusting” relationship with a child created by the predatory intent of a church associate, blanketed by the trust and reverence provided to a member of the clergy, leading to non-consensual sexual assault acts of molestation.
In nearly all claimed Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse situations, the short-coming by the Clergy member’s superior to entirely, adequately and immediately report the crime to law enforcement and other authorities, or the continuing failure to investigate, handle and deal entirely with the occurrence increases the effects on the assault survivor, the community and possibly others. Current Church Sexual Abuse cases covered in the press show these short-comings, which includes “pass-the-trash” situations when the abuser commonly a priest in the Catholic Church, is suddenly re-assigned from one location to another only to continue his predatory, criminal behavior on an unaware parish community.
Priest and Clergy Sexual Assault & Justice Not a week passes without a news headline reporting regarding sexual abuse and molestation of young children by pedophile priests, or the effects of the assault on the victims and their families. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse from a priest or other clergy member, these stories are likely to act as an echo chamber, replaying the horror, shame, guilt and various unwanted emotions staining your well-being. Encouraged by the social movement and other channels that encourage victims to reveal the abuse they experienced, victims of abuse are more frequently turning to the legal system to compensate them for the lifetime harm and injury they have suffered.
If you are a victim of abuse perpetrated by a priest, the result of the abuse on your life and core belief system may be incalculable. Nonetheless, holding the responsible church and institutions to blame for their crimes and indifference can provide a measure of justice and recompense to assault survivors. Oftentimes, clergy lawsuit Arizona 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.
Predatory Behavior All predators, to varying amounts, use predatory methods which are commonly referred to as grooming, focusing on a potential abuse victim. Below is a list of grooming behaviors 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 ploy. In a church environment, the clergy member is revered as God’s representative. In this environment, the predator often works closely with small numbers of children, understanding each child’s needs, vulnerabilities and situations. Once a victim is located, these vulnerabilities – such as violent family setting, loneliness, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – may be systematically exploited in the following ways:
Trust An assaulter will first try to gain the child’s trust. This step is most difficult to discern as church communities are often tight-knit and personal relation with clergy is commonplace. Here, the priest can feign 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 begin to rely more and more on the predator for whatever need it is that the priest is exploiting and fulfilling. The child will spend more time with the priest, feeling more comfortable with the relationship and relying on its stability and security. In addition to attention and affection, the possible victim might receive presents from the priest, including valuable, intangible gifts such as blessings and special recognition. Isolation While grooming escalates, the predator may work to isolate the potential victim. This might mean single counseling meetings, meals or other methods of one-on-one isolated encounters. Sexualization The predator will start to de-sensitize the child from reacting negatively to contact, caressing and other behaviors that lead to sexual interaction. This may start with breaking the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with suggestive messages to determine the victim’s reaction to the progression. This will continue until the relationship gets 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 priest may likely seek to manipulate the victim by continuing to make the target feel special and worthy. The predator will continue to exploit the victim by whatever methods necessary to maintain the immoral physical relationship.
Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors
The effect of childhood abuse on the survivor can be severe and life-altering. Many 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 problems creating and keeping 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 predator and, more commonly, from the religious organization for its failure to protect the victim from the abuse, as well as failures or deficiencies in its method 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 prepared to talk with you.
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