Priest Sexual Assault – Information
Clergy Sexual Abuse includes a range of illegal and heinous behaviors frequently perpetrated against kids and adolescents by predatory clergy or other church members involving sexual assault of varying amounts. The abuse may be a one-time, non-consensual scroll barevent or it may include many acts within a continuing interaction. For instance, an ongoing “trusting” interaction with a child created by the predatory intent of a clergy member, blanketed by the trust and respect imputed to a priest, leading to non-consensual sexual assault acts of molestation.
Within most claimed Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse situations, the failure by the Clergy member’s superior to fully, adequately and promptly report the offense to police and other authorities, or its continuing failure to research, address and resolve entirely with the situation amplifies the harm on the abuse survivor, the community and possibly others. Recent Clergy Sexual Assault cases reported in the press highlight these short-comings, including “pass-the-trash” scenarios where the perpetrator oftentimes a priest in the Catholic Church, is secretly moved from one parish to another only to continue his predatory, criminal action on an unaware parish community.
Priest and Clergy Sexual Assault & Justice
Not a day goes by without a media announcement coverage about sexual assault and molestation of children by pedophile clergy, or the legacy of the abuse on the survivors and their families. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse from a priest or other clergy member, these articles are most likely to act as an echo chamber, reverberating the horror, embarrassment, guilt and other unwelcome emotions staining your well-being. Encouraged by the social movement and other pathways that encourage victims to disclose the assault they suffered, survivors of abuse are more frequently turning to the legal system to compensate them for the lifelong damage and injury they have suffered.
If you are a victim of abuse commited by a priest, the impact of the abuse on your life and core belief system may be incalculable. Regardless, holding the responsible person and institutions accountable for their crimes and indifference might offer a measure of justice and recompense to abuse victims. Oftentimes, survivors can leverage their legal rights through confidential mediation therein avoiding the need for litigation. But, if litigation is required, a motion can be filed where the victim can remain anonymous.
Predatory Behavior
All abusers, to varying amounts, use predatory tactics that are generally referred to as grooming, targeting a potential assault victim. Following is a list of grooming behaviors exhibited by predators who are in a position of authority relative to the subordinate child.
Grooming
Grooming is a major piece of a predator’s strategy. In a religious environment, the priest is held as God’s representative. Within this setting, the predator often works closely with small amounts of children, understanding each child’s needs, vulnerabilities and circumstances. Once a victim 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
A predator will initially try to get the child’s trust. This step is most difficult to discern as church communities are frequently tight-knit and personal interaction with clergy is commonplace. Here, clergy lawsuit Connecticut can pretend genuine interest in the child’s wellness 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 whatever need it is that the priest is exploiting and fulfilling. The victim will spend 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 gifts from the predator, including valuable, intangible presents such as blessings and special recognition.
Isolation
As the grooming progresses, the predator may work to isolate the potential victim. This may mean solo counseling meetings, meals or various forms of one-on-one isolated encounters.
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 advances to one of a physical, sexual nature.
Maintenance
As the sexual relationship is created, the predator will try to keep control over the child and the continuing interaction. The priest will likely seek to manipulate the victim by continuing to make the victim feel special and worthy. The predator will keep exploiting the victim by whatever means needed to maintain the immoral physical relationship.
Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors
The impact of childhood abuse on the victim can be severe and life-altering. Several clergy abuse 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 maintaining vibrant relationships. Individualized treatment and support groups can help victims overcome these effects.
Legally, a victim of Priest Sexual Assault may recover financial compensation from the abuser and, more frequently, from the church for its failure to shield the child from the assault, as well as failures or deficiencies in its process of reviewing and resolving to reports of abuse. If you are a victim of Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse and would like to confidentially discuss your experience and your legal options, we are ready to speak with you.
Within most claimed Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse situations, the failure by the Clergy member’s superior to fully, adequately and promptly report the offense to police and other authorities, or its continuing failure to research, address and resolve entirely with the situation amplifies the harm on the abuse survivor, the community and possibly others. Recent Clergy Sexual Assault cases reported in the press highlight these short-comings, including “pass-the-trash” scenarios where the perpetrator oftentimes a priest in the Catholic Church, is secretly moved from one parish to another only to continue his predatory, criminal action on an unaware parish community.
Priest and Clergy Sexual Assault & Justice
Not a day goes by without a media announcement coverage about sexual assault and molestation of children by pedophile clergy, or the legacy of the abuse on the survivors and their families. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse from a priest or other clergy member, these articles are most likely to act as an echo chamber, reverberating the horror, embarrassment, guilt and other unwelcome emotions staining your well-being. Encouraged by the social movement and other pathways that encourage victims to disclose the assault they suffered, survivors of abuse are more frequently turning to the legal system to compensate them for the lifelong damage and injury they have suffered.
If you are a victim of abuse commited by a priest, the impact of the abuse on your life and core belief system may be incalculable. Regardless, holding the responsible person and institutions accountable for their crimes and indifference might offer a measure of justice and recompense to abuse victims. Oftentimes, survivors can leverage their legal rights through confidential mediation therein avoiding the need for litigation. But, if litigation is required, a motion can be filed where the victim can remain anonymous.
Predatory Behavior
All abusers, to varying amounts, use predatory tactics that are generally referred to as grooming, targeting a potential assault victim. Following is a list of grooming behaviors exhibited by predators who are in a position of authority relative to the subordinate child.
Grooming
Grooming is a major piece of a predator’s strategy. In a religious environment, the priest is held as God’s representative. Within this setting, the predator often works closely with small amounts of children, understanding each child’s needs, vulnerabilities and circumstances. Once a victim 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
A predator will initially try to get the child’s trust. This step is most difficult to discern as church communities are frequently tight-knit and personal interaction with clergy is commonplace. Here, clergy lawsuit Connecticut can pretend genuine interest in the child’s wellness 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 whatever need it is that the priest is exploiting and fulfilling. The victim will spend 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 gifts from the predator, including valuable, intangible presents such as blessings and special recognition.
Isolation
As the grooming progresses, the predator may work to isolate the potential victim. This may mean solo counseling meetings, meals or various forms of one-on-one isolated encounters.
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 advances to one of a physical, sexual nature.
Maintenance
As the sexual relationship is created, the predator will try to keep control over the child and the continuing interaction. The priest will likely seek to manipulate the victim by continuing to make the victim feel special and worthy. The predator will keep exploiting the victim by whatever means needed to maintain the immoral physical relationship.
Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors
The impact of childhood abuse on the victim can be severe and life-altering. Several clergy abuse 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 maintaining vibrant relationships. Individualized treatment and support groups can help victims overcome these effects.
Legally, a victim of Priest Sexual Assault may recover financial compensation from the abuser and, more frequently, from the church for its failure to shield the child from the assault, as well as failures or deficiencies in its process of reviewing and resolving to reports of abuse. If you are a victim of Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse and would like to confidentially discuss your experience and your legal options, we are ready to speak with you.
