logo
logo
Sign in

Clergy Assault – Overview

avatar
Kirkland Garner
Priest Sexual Abuse includes a wide-range of immoral and unacceptable acts commonly commited against young children and teens by predatory priests or other church members involving sexual abuse of varying degrees. The sexual assault can be a single, non-consensual scroll barencounter or it might include many assaults within an ongoing interaction. For example, an ongoing “trusting” relationship with a child created by the predatory intent of a church associate, blanketed by the trust and respect imputed to a priest, leading to non-consensual sexual assault acts of molestation.

In nearly all alleged Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse situations, the failure by the Church member’s employer to entirely, adequately and promptly report the crime to law enforcement and other authorities, or the continuing failure to research, cope with and resolve entirely with the occurrence increases the harm on the abuse survivor, the community and possibly others. Recent Priest Sexual Assault cases covered in the media highlight these short-comings, that includes “pass-the-trash” situations where the predator oftentimes a clergy in the Catholic Church, is secretly re-assigned from one parish to another merely to continue his predatory, criminal action on an unaware parish community.

Priest and Clergy Sexual Abuse and Retribution
Not a week goes by without a news headline coverage about sexual assault and molestation of young children by predator priests, or the effects 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 unwelcome thoughts harming your well-being. Encouraged by the social movement and other channels that encourage victims to disclose the assault they experienced, victims of abuse are increasingly employing the legal system to compensate them for the lifelong harm 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 immeasurable. Regardless, holding the responsible clergy and institutions to blame for their crimes and indifference may offer a measure of justice and recompense to assault survivors. Commonly, victims can leverage their legal rights through confidential mediation thereby avoiding the need for litigation. But, if litigation is necessary, a case might be filed where the survivor can remain anonymous.

Abusive Behavior
All predators, to varying degrees, use predatory methods which are generally known as grooming, aiming at a potential abuse victim. Following is a list of grooming actions used by predators who are in a position of authority in relation to the subordinate young child.

Grooming
Grooming is a significant part of a predator’s ploy. In a religious environment, the clergy member is viewed as God’s representative. In this setting, the predator frequently works closely with small amounts of children, identifying each child’s needs, weaknesses and situations. Once a victim is located, these vulnerabilities – like violent family setting, loneliness, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – can be systematically leveraged in the following ways:

Trust
A predator will initially try to get the child’s trust. This step is most difficult to discern as religious communities are frequently tight-knit and personal relation with clergy is commonplace. Here, the priest can pretend sincere 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, the child will begin to rely more and more on the predator for any need it is that the priest is exploiting and fulfilling. new york abuse settlement may spend increased time with the predator, feeling more and more comfortable with the relationship and relying on its stability and security. In addition to attention and affection, the potential victim might receive presents from the predator, including valuable, intangible gifts such as blessings and special recognition.
Isolation
While grooming continues, the predator will try to isolate the potential target. This might result in single counseling sessions, meals or other forms of one-on-one isolated encounters.
Sexualization
The predator will begin to de-sensitize the child from reacting negatively to touching, caressing and various actions 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 continue until the relationship gets to one of a physical, sexual nature.
Maintenance
As the sexual relationship is established, the predator will try to maintain control over the child and the continuing interaction. The predator will likely want to manipulate the victim by continuing to make the target feel special and worthy. The predator 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 victim can be overwhelming and life-changing. Several priest assault 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 problems establishing and keeping healthy relationships. Individualized treatment and support groups can help survivors overcome these effects.

Legally, a survivor of Clergy Sexual Abuse can recover financial compensation from the abuser and, more frequently, from the religious organization for its failure to protect the child from the assault, 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 experience and your legal options, we are prepared to speak with you.
collect
0
avatar
Kirkland Garner
guide
Zupyak is the world’s largest content marketing community, with over 400 000 members and 3 million articles. Explore and get your content discovered.
Read more