Church Sexual Abuse includes a wide-range of illegal and heinous acts frequently perpetrated against children and adolescents by predatory clergy or other church employees involving sexual abuse of varying amounts. The assault can be a one-time, non-consensual scroll barencounter or it may include many assaults inside an ongoing interaction. For instance, a continuing “trusting” relationship with a young child spawned by the predatory intent of a clergy member, cloaked by the trust and respect imputed to a priest, leading to non-consensual sexual attack acts of molestation.
Within all alleged Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse situations, the failure by the Clergy member’s employer to entirely, adequately and promptly report the crime to law enforcement and other authorities, or its continuing failure to investigate, cope with and deal entirely with the situation amplifies the effects on the assault survivor, the community and possibly others. Recent Clergy Sexual Assault cases covered in the media highlight these short-comings, including “pass-the-trash” scenarios when the predator oftentimes a priest in the Catholic Church, is suddenly moved from one location to another only to continue his predatory, criminal action on an unaware parish community.
Priest and Clergy Sexual Assault and Justice Not a week goes by without a news announcement reporting regarding sexual abuse and molestation of young children by predator clergy, or the aftermath of the assault 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 act as an echo chamber, replaying the horror, shame, guilt and various unwanted feelings harming your well-being. Encouraged by the social movement and other pathways that encourage them to disclose the abuse they experienced, victims of abuse are more frequently employing the legal system to compensate them for the life-long damage and injury they have experienced.
If you are a survivor of abuse commited by a member of the church, the impact of the abuse on your life and core belief system might be immeasurable. Nonetheless, holding the responsible priest and institutions to blame for their crimes and indifference might offer an amount of justice and recompense to abuse survivors. Oftentimes, victims can leverage their legal rights in confidential mediation therein avoiding the need for litigation. However, if litigation is required, a case might be filed where the victim can remain anonymous.
Predatory Behavior All predators, to varying amounts, use predatory tactics that are generally known as grooming, targeting a possible abuse victim. Below is a survey of grooming behaviors exhibited by predators who are in a job of authority in relation to the subordinate child.
Grooming Grooming is a major part of a predator’s ploy. In a religious environment, the clergy member is revered as God’s representative. In this setting, the predator frequently works closely with small numbers of children, understanding each child’s needs, vulnerabilities and circumstances. Once church abuseArizona is identified, these vulnerabilities – like violent family setting, isolation, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – may be systematically leveraged in the following ways:
Trust A predator will initially try to get the child’s trust. This strategy is most difficult to discern as church communities are frequently tight-knit and personal relation with clergy is commonplace. Here, the priest 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 target and oftentimes their family, the child will begin 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 counting on its stability and security. In addition to attention and affection, the potential target may receive presents from the predator, including valuable, intangible presents like blessings and special recognition. Isolation As the grooming continues, the predator might try to isolate the possible target. This may result in single counseling sessions, meals or various forms of one-on-one isolated moments. Sexualization The predator will begin to de-sensitize the target from reacting negatively to touching, caressing and other actions that lead to sexual interaction. This might begin with crossing the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with suggestive messages to gauge the victim’s response 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 maintain control of the child and the continued interaction. The predator may likely want to manipulate the child by continuing to make the target feel special and worthy. The predator will continue to exploit the target by whatever methods necessary to maintain the immoral physical relationship.
Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors
The impact of childhood abuse on the victim can be overwhelming and life-changing. Many priest abuse survivors suffer from long-term effects of the assault including depression, disturbed sleeping, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse and eating patterns, and problems establishing and keeping vibrant relationships. Individualized treatment and support groups can assist victims overcome these effects.
Legally, a victim of Clergy Sexual Abuse may gain financial compensation from the predator and, more frequently, from the church for its failure to protect the victim from the abuse, as well as failures or deficiencies in its method of reviewing and resolving to reports of abuse. 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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