SPOILER ALERT!
Priest Assault – Information
Clergy Abuse encompasses a wide-range of illegal and improper acts frequently commited on kids and tweens by pedophilic clergy or other church employees involving sexual assault of varying degrees. The assault can be a single, non-consensual scroll barencounter or it may involve many assaults inside a continuing interaction. For example, an ongoing “trusting” interaction with a young child created by the predatory intent of a church associate, cloaked with the trust and reverence provided to a member of the clergy, leading to non-consensual sexual assault acts of molestation.
Within all alleged Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse situations, the failure by the Church member’s employer to completely, adequately and immediately report the crime to law enforcement and other authorities, or its continuing failure to investigate, handle and deal entirely with the situation amplifies the effects on the abuse survivor, the community and possibly others. Recent Clergy Sexual Abuse cases covered in the press show these failures, which includes “pass-the-trash” scenarios when the perpetrator frequently a clergy in the Catholic Church, is suddenly moved from one location to another merely to continue his predatory, criminal behavior on an innocent parish community.
Priest and Clergy Sexual Abuse & Justice
Not a week passes without a news announcement coverage regarding sexual assault and molestation of children by pedophile clergy, or the effects of the assault on the victims and their families. If you are a survivor of sexual assault from a priest or other church member, these stories are most likely to act as an echo chamber, replaying the horror, shame, guilt and other unwanted feelings staining your wellness. Encouraged by the societal movement and other pathways that encourage victims to disclose the abuse they suffered, victims of abuse are increasingly employing the legal system to compensate them for the lifelong harm and injury they have experienced.
If you are a victim of assault perpetrated by a member of the clergy, the result of the abuse on your life and core belief system can be incalculable. Nonetheless, holding the responsible clergy and institutions accountable for their crimes and indifference might offer an amount of justice and recompense to abuse victims. Commonly, survivors can assert their legal rights through confidential mediation therein avoiding the need for litigation. But, if litigation is required, a motion might be filed where the victim can remain anonymous.
Predatory Behavior
All abusers, to varying amounts, use predatory tactics which are generally known as grooming, tracking a possible assault victim. Below is a survey of grooming actions used 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 strategy. In a church environment, the priest is viewed as God’s representative. Within this environment, the predator frequently works closely with small numbers of children, identifying each child’s needs, weaknesses and circumstances. Once a target is identified, these vulnerabilities – like violent family setting, loneliness, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – can be systematically exploited in the following ways:
Trust
A predator will initially try to get the child’s trust. This strategy is most difficult to discern as religious communities are often tight-knit and personal relation with clergy is commonplace. Here, the predator can feign genuine interest in the child’s wellbeing and development – 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 predator is exploiting and fulfilling. The victim may spend increased time with the predator, feeling more comfortable with the relationship and relying on its stability and security. In addition to attention and affection, the potential target may receive presents from the predator, including valuable, intangible gifts like blessings and special recognition.
Isolation
While grooming continues, the predator may work to isolate the potential victim. This might result in single counseling sessions, meals or other forms of one-on-one isolated encounters.
Sexualization
The predator might begin to de-sensitize the target from reacting negatively to contact, caressing and various 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 escalate until the relationship gets to one of a physical, sexual nature.
Maintenance
Once the sexual relationship is established, the predator will work to maintain control over the child and the continuing interaction. priest abuse in arizona may 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 needed to maintain the immoral physical relationship.
Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors
The effect of childhood assault on the victim can be severe and life-altering. 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 problems creating and maintaining vibrant relationships. Individualized treatment and support groups can assist victims overcome these effects.
Legally, a survivor of Clergy Sexual Abuse may recover financial compensation from the abuser and, more frequently, 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 resolving to reports of assault. 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 prepared to talk with you.
Within all alleged Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse situations, the failure by the Church member’s employer to completely, adequately and immediately report the crime to law enforcement and other authorities, or its continuing failure to investigate, handle and deal entirely with the situation amplifies the effects on the abuse survivor, the community and possibly others. Recent Clergy Sexual Abuse cases covered in the press show these failures, which includes “pass-the-trash” scenarios when the perpetrator frequently a clergy in the Catholic Church, is suddenly moved from one location to another merely to continue his predatory, criminal behavior on an innocent parish community.
Priest and Clergy Sexual Abuse & Justice
Not a week passes without a news announcement coverage regarding sexual assault and molestation of children by pedophile clergy, or the effects of the assault on the victims and their families. If you are a survivor of sexual assault from a priest or other church member, these stories are most likely to act as an echo chamber, replaying the horror, shame, guilt and other unwanted feelings staining your wellness. Encouraged by the societal movement and other pathways that encourage victims to disclose the abuse they suffered, victims of abuse are increasingly employing the legal system to compensate them for the lifelong harm and injury they have experienced.
If you are a victim of assault perpetrated by a member of the clergy, the result of the abuse on your life and core belief system can be incalculable. Nonetheless, holding the responsible clergy and institutions accountable for their crimes and indifference might offer an amount of justice and recompense to abuse victims. Commonly, survivors can assert their legal rights through confidential mediation therein avoiding the need for litigation. But, if litigation is required, a motion might be filed where the victim can remain anonymous.
Predatory Behavior
All abusers, to varying amounts, use predatory tactics which are generally known as grooming, tracking a possible assault victim. Below is a survey of grooming actions used 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 strategy. In a church environment, the priest is viewed as God’s representative. Within this environment, the predator frequently works closely with small numbers of children, identifying each child’s needs, weaknesses and circumstances. Once a target is identified, these vulnerabilities – like violent family setting, loneliness, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – can be systematically exploited in the following ways:
Trust
A predator will initially try to get the child’s trust. This strategy is most difficult to discern as religious communities are often tight-knit and personal relation with clergy is commonplace. Here, the predator can feign genuine interest in the child’s wellbeing and development – 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 predator is exploiting and fulfilling. The victim may spend increased time with the predator, feeling more comfortable with the relationship and relying on its stability and security. In addition to attention and affection, the potential target may receive presents from the predator, including valuable, intangible gifts like blessings and special recognition.
Isolation
While grooming continues, the predator may work to isolate the potential victim. This might result in single counseling sessions, meals or other forms of one-on-one isolated encounters.
Sexualization
The predator might begin to de-sensitize the target from reacting negatively to contact, caressing and various 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 escalate until the relationship gets to one of a physical, sexual nature.
Maintenance
Once the sexual relationship is established, the predator will work to maintain control over the child and the continuing interaction. priest abuse in arizona may 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 needed to maintain the immoral physical relationship.
Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors
The effect of childhood assault on the victim can be severe and life-altering. 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 problems creating and maintaining vibrant relationships. Individualized treatment and support groups can assist victims overcome these effects.
Legally, a survivor of Clergy Sexual Abuse may recover financial compensation from the abuser and, more frequently, 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 resolving to reports of assault. 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 prepared to talk with you.
