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Church Sexual Assault – Overview

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Kirkland Garner
Priest Abuse encompasses a range of illegal and heinous actions often perpetrated against children and teens by predatory clergy or other church members involving sexual abuse of varying degrees. The sexual assault can be a one-off, non-consensual scroll barevent or it may include numerous acts inside a continuing interaction. For example, an ongoing “trusting” interaction with a child created by the predatory behavior of a clergy member, cloaked by the trust and reverence provided to a member of the clergy, leading to non-consensual sexual attack acts of molestation.

Within nearly all claimed Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse scenarios, the failure by the Clergy member’s employer to fully, adequately and promptly report the offense to law enforcement and other authorities, or the continuing failure to investigate, address and resolve entirely with the situation increases the effects on the assault survivor, the community and possibly others. california priest abuse reported in the media show these short-comings, which includes “pass-the-trash” situations when the predator commonly a priest in the Catholic Church, is silently re-assigned from one parish to another merely to continue his predatory, criminal action on an unaware parish community.

Priest and Clergy Sexual Assault & Retribution
Not a day passes without a media announcement reporting regarding sexual assault and molestation of children by predator priests, or the aftermath of the abuse on the victims and their families. If you are a victim of sexual abuse from a priest or other clergy member, these articles are likely to serve as an echo chamber, replaying the horror, shame, guilt and other unwelcome feelings staining your well-being. Encouraged by the societal movement and other channels that encourage them to disclose the assault they suffered, victims of assault are increasingly turning to the legal system to compensate them for the lifelong damage and injury they have experienced.

If you are a victim of abuse commited by a member of the clergy, the result of the abuse on your life and foundational belief system can be immeasurable. Nonetheless, holding the responsible priest and institutions accountable for their crimes and indifference might offer a measure of justice and recompense to assault survivors. Oftentimes, survivors can leverage their legal rights in confidential mediation therein avoiding the need for litigation. But, if litigation is required, a motion might be filed where the plaintiff can remain anonymous.

Abusive Behavior
All abusers, to varying degrees, employ predatory tricks which are commonly known as grooming, targeting a possible assault victim. Following is a survey of grooming behaviors exhibited by predators who are in a job of authority relative to the subordinate young child.

Grooming
Grooming is a significant piece of a predator’s ploy. In a church environment, the clergy member is held as God’s representative. In this environment, the predator frequently works closely with small amounts of children, understanding each child’s needs, weaknesses and circumstances. Once a target is located, these vulnerabilities – such as violent family setting, loneliness, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – can be systematically exploited in the following ways:

Trust
An assaulter will first work to gain the child’s trust. This strategy is most difficult to notice as religious communities are often tight-knit and personal interaction with clergy is commonplace. Here, the priest can pretend genuine concern 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 members, 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 victim will devote increased time with the predator, feeling more and more comfortable with the relationship and counting on its stability and security. In addition to attention and affection, the potential target might receive gifts from the priest, including valuable, intangible presents like blessings and special recognition.
Isolation
As the grooming escalates, the predator may try to isolate the potential victim. This may mean solo counseling sessions, meals or various forms of one-on-one isolated moments.
Sexualization
The predator will start to de-sensitize the target from reacting negatively to touching, caressing and other actions that lead to sexual interaction. This could start with breaking the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with inappropriate messages to gauge the victim’s reaction to the progression. This will continue until the relationship advances to one of a physical, sexual nature.
Maintenance
As the sexual relationship is created, the predator will try to keep control of the child and the continued interaction. The priest will likely want to manipulate the child by continuing to make the target feel special and worthy. The predator will continue to exploit the victim by whatever means needed to maintain the inappropriate physical relationship.

Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors

The impact of childhood assault on the victim can be overwhelming and life-changing. Several 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 difficulty establishing and keeping vibrant relationships. Individualized therapy and support groups can assist victims overcome these effects.

Legally, a victim of Priest Sexual Assault may gain financial compensation from the abuser and, more commonly, from the religious organization for its failure to protect the child from the abuse, as well as failures or deficiencies in its method of reviewing and resolving to reports of abuse. If you are a victim of Priest or Clergy Sexual Assault and would like to confidentially discuss your experience and your legal options, we are ready to talk with you.
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