Church Predator Abuse Information

Priest Abuse includes a wide-range of immoral and heinous behaviors often perpetrated on children and tweens by predatory clergy or other church members involving sexual assault of varying amounts. church abuse Providence Rhode Island can be a one-off, non-consensual scroll barevent or it may involve several acts within an ongoing interaction. For instance, a continuing “trusting” relationship with a young child created by the predatory intent of a clergy associate, blanketed with the trust and reverence provided to a member of the clergy, leading to non-consensual sexual attack acts of molestation.

Within all claimed Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse scenarios, the failure by the Clergy member’s superior to entirely, adequately and promptly disclose the offense to law enforcement and other authorities, or its further failure to investigate, contend with and resolve entirely with the situation increases the harm on the abuse survivor, the community and possibly others. Recent Clergy Sexual Assault cases covered in the media show these failures, that includes “pass-the-trash” scenarios when the perpetrator frequently a priest in the Catholic Church, is silently moved from one church to another merely to continue his predatory, criminal behavior on an unaware parish community.

Priest and Clergy Sexual Abuse & Retribution
Not a day goes by without a news announcement coverage about sexual assault and molestation of young children by predator clergy, or the aftermath of the assault on the survivors and their families. If you are a survivor of sexual assault from a priest or other clergy member, these reports are likely to serve as an echo chamber, reverberating the horror, embarrassment, guilt and various unwanted emotions hurting your wellness. Encouraged by the societal movement and other pathways that encourage survivors to disclose the assault they suffered, victims of abuse are increasingly employing the legal system to compensate them for the life-long 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 foundational belief system may be immeasurable. Nonetheless, holding the responsible person and institutions accountable for their crimes and indifference may offer an amount of justice and recompense to abuse survivors. Oftentimes, survivors can leverage their legal rights through confidential mediation thereby avoiding the need for litigation. But, if litigation is required, a case may be filed where the survivor can remain anonymous.

Predatory Behavior
All abusers, to varying degrees, use predatory tactics which are commonly known as grooming, tracking a potential abuse victim. Following is a survey of grooming behaviors exhibited by predators who are in a position of authority relative to the subordinate child.

Grooming
Grooming is a significant piece of a predator’s strategy. In a church setting, the priest is viewed as God’s representative. In this environment, the predator frequently works closely with small amounts of children, identifying each child’s needs, weaknesses and situations. Once a target is identified, these vulnerabilities – such as tumultuous family setting, loneliness, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – may be systematically exploited in the following ways:

Trust
An assaulter will first work to get the child’s trust. This strategy is most difficult to notice as church communities are frequently tight-knit and personal relation with clergy is commonplace. Here, the assaulter can feign sincere concern in the child’s wellbeing and development – both emotional and religious.

Reliance
As a predator creates a trusting relationship with the potential child-victim and oftentimes their family members, 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 spend more time with the priest, feeling 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 priest, including valuable, intangible presents such as blessings and special recognition.
Isolation
As the grooming progresses, the predator will try to isolate the potential target. This could mean single counseling meetings, 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 behaviors that lead to sexual interaction. This may start with crossing the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with suggestive 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 established, 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 victim feel special and worthy. The predator will continue to exploit the target by whatever ways necessary to maintain the immoral physical relationship.

Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors

The impact of childhood assault on the survivor can be severe and life-altering. Many clergy assault survivors suffer from lifelong effects of the assault including depression, disturbed sleeping, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse and eating patterns, and difficulty creating and keeping vibrant relationships. Individualized treatment and support groups can help survivors overcome these effects.

Legally, a survivor of Priest Sexual Assault may gain financial compensation from the abuser and, more commonly, from the religious organization for its failure to shield the victim from the assault, as well as failures or deficiencies in its process of reviewing and responding to reports of assault. If you are a victim of Priest or Clergy Sexual Assault and would like to confidentially discuss your situation and your legal options, we are prepared to talk with you.