Clergy Abuse comprises a wide-range of illegal and improper actions often commited against children and adolescents by predatory clergy or other church employees involving sexual abuse of varying amounts. The assault might be a one-time, non-consensual scroll barevent or it can involve numerous assaults within a continuing interaction. For example, a continuing “trusting” relationship with a child spawned by the predatory behavior of a clergy member, blanketed with the trust and respect imputed to a member of the clergy, leading to non-consensual sexual attack acts of molestation.
In nearly all claimed Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse situations, the failure by the Church member’s employer to completely, adequately and promptly report the offense to police and other authorities, or its continuing failure to research, handle and deal fully with the situation amplifies the harm on the assault survivor, the community and potentially others. Current Priest Sexual Abuse cases reported in the media show these failures, which includes “pass-the-trash” situations where the predator commonly a clergy in the Catholic Church, is secretly moved from one location to another only to continue his predatory, criminal action on an unsuspecting parish community.
Priest and Clergy Sexual Assault and Justice Not a day passes without a news announcement coverage about sexual assault and molestation of children by pedophile priests, or the aftermath of the abuse on the survivors and their families. If you are a survivor of sexual assault from a priest or other church member, these articles are most likely to serve as an echo chamber, replaying the horror, embarrassment, guilt and various unwanted feelings harming your wellness. Encouraged by the societal movement and other pathways that encourage victims to disclose the abuse they experienced, victims of assault are more frequently turning to the legal system to compensate them for the life-long damage and injury they have experienced.
If you are a survivor of assault commited by a member of the clergy, the impact of the abuse on your life and foundational belief system can be incalculable. Nonetheless, holding the responsible clergy and institutions accountable for their crimes and failures might offer a measure of justice and recompense to abuse survivors. Frequently, survivors can assert their legal rights through confidential mediation therein avoiding the need for litigation. But, if litigation is necessary, a motion may be filed where the victim can remain anonymous.
Abusive Behavior All predators, to varying amounts, use predatory tactics which are generally known as grooming, tracking a potential abuse victim. Following is a survey of grooming actions exhibited by predators who are in a position of authority in relation to the subordinate child.
Grooming Grooming is a major piece of a predator’s ploy. In a church environment, the clergy member is revered as God’s representative. Within abused in church Texas , the predator often 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, loneliness, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – can be systematically exploited in the following ways:
Trust A predator will initially work to gain the child’s trust. This strategy is most difficult to notice as religious communities are frequently tight-knit and personal interaction with clergy is commonplace. Here, the priest can pretend genuine concern in the child’s wellbeing and groeth – both emotional and religious.
Reliance As a predator establishes a trusting relationship with the potential child-victim and oftentimes their family members, the child will start to rely more and more on the predator for any need it is that the predator is exploiting and fulfilling. The child may devote 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 potential target might receive presents from the predator, including valuable, intangible presents such as blessings and special recognition. Isolation While grooming escalates, the predator may try to isolate the possible victim. This might mean individual counseling sessions, meals or various methods of one-on-one isolated moments. Sexualization The predator might begin to de-sensitize the child from reacting negatively to touching, caressing and various actions that lead to sexual interaction. This might start with breaking the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with inappropriate messages to determine the victim’s response to the progression. This will continue 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 of the child and the continuing interaction. The predator will likely seek to manipulate the victim by continuing to make the victim 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 abuse 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 keeping healthy relationships. Individualized treatment and support groups can assist survivors overcome these effects.
Legally, a survivor of Clergy Sexual Abuse may gain financial compensation from the predator and, more commonly, 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 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 ready to speak with you.
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