SPOILER ALERT!
Clergy Sexual Abuse – Overview
Church Abuse comprises a wide-range of immoral and heinous behaviors often commited against young children and teens by predatory priests or other church employees involving sexual assault of varying degrees. The abuse may be a single, non-consensual scroll barencounter or it may involve many assaults within an ongoing interaction. For example, a continuing “trusting” relationship with a child spawned by the predatory intent of a clergy member, cloaked by the trust and respect provided to a priest, leading to non-consensual sexual attack acts of molestation.
In nearly all claimed Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse scenarios, the short-coming by the Church member’s employer to fully, adequately and promptly disclose the offense to law enforcement and other authorities, or the further failure to research, cope with and deal fully with the occurrence amplifies the effects on the assault survivor, the community and possibly others. Current Church Sexual Abuse cases reported in the media uncover these failures, which includes “pass-the-trash” scenarios when the predator commonly a priest in the Catholic Church, is silently moved from one parish to another merely to continue his predatory, criminal action on an unsuspecting parish community.
Priest and Clergy Sexual Assault & Retribution
Not a week passes without a media announcement reporting regarding sexual assault and molestation of children by pedophile priests, or the effects of the assault on the survivors and their families. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse from a priest or other clergy member, these articles are likely to serve as an echo chamber, reverberating the horror, shame, guilt and various unwelcome feelings harming your well-being. Encouraged by the social movement and other channels that encourage survivors to reveal the abuse they suffered, victims of abuse are increasingly turning to the legal system to compensate them for the lifetime damage and injury they have suffered.
If you are a survivor of assault commited by a priest, the result of the abuse on your life and foundational belief system can be immeasurable. Regardless, holding the responsible person and institutions accountable for their crimes and failures can provide a measure of justice and recompense to abuse victims. Frequently, survivors can leverage their legal rights in confidential mediation thereby avoiding the need for litigation. However, if litigation is necessary, a case can be filed where the survivor can remain anonymous.
Predatory Behavior
All abusers, to varying amounts, use predatory methods that are commonly known as grooming, targeting a potential assault victim. Below is a list of grooming behaviors exhibited by predators who are in a job of authority in relation to the subordinate young child.
Grooming
Grooming is a significant piece of a predator’s ploy. In a religious setting, the clergy member is viewed 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 – like violent family setting, isolation, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – might be systematically exploited in the following ways:
Trust
An assaulter will initially work to gain the child’s trust. This strategy is most difficult to discern as church communities are frequently tight-knit and personal relation with clergy is commonplace. Here, the priest can pretend genuine concern in the child’s wellbeing and development – both emotional and religious.
Reliance
As a predator creates a trusting relationship with the potential victim and oftentimes their family, the child will begin to rely more and more on the predator for whatever need it is that the predator is exploiting and fulfilling. The victim will devote increased time with the priest, feeling more and more comfortable with the relationship and relying on its stability and security. In addition to attention and affection, the potential target might receive gifts from the priest, including valuable, intangible presents such as blessings and special recognition.
Isolation
As the grooming escalates, the predator may try to isolate the possible victim. This may result in solo counseling sessions, meals or various methods of one-on-one isolated encounters.
Sexualization
The predator may start to de-sensitize the child from reacting negatively to contact, caressing and other actions that lead to sexual interaction. This could start with crossing the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with suggestive messages to gauge the victim’s response to the progression. clergy abuse lawyer until the relationship advances to one of a physical, sexual nature.
Maintenance
Once the sexual relationship is established, the predator will work to keep control of the child and the continuing interaction. The predator will likely seek 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 needed to maintain the inappropriate physical relationship.
Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors
The effect of childhood abuse on the survivor can be severe and life-changing. Several priest 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 difficulty establishing and maintaining healthy relationships. Individualized therapy and support groups can assist survivors overcome these effects.
Legally, a victim of Clergy Sexual Abuse can gain financial compensation from the predator and, more frequently, from the religious organization 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 assault. 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 prepared to speak with you.
In nearly all claimed Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse scenarios, the short-coming by the Church member’s employer to fully, adequately and promptly disclose the offense to law enforcement and other authorities, or the further failure to research, cope with and deal fully with the occurrence amplifies the effects on the assault survivor, the community and possibly others. Current Church Sexual Abuse cases reported in the media uncover these failures, which includes “pass-the-trash” scenarios when the predator commonly a priest in the Catholic Church, is silently moved from one parish to another merely to continue his predatory, criminal action on an unsuspecting parish community.
Priest and Clergy Sexual Assault & Retribution
Not a week passes without a media announcement reporting regarding sexual assault and molestation of children by pedophile priests, or the effects of the assault on the survivors and their families. If you are a survivor of sexual abuse from a priest or other clergy member, these articles are likely to serve as an echo chamber, reverberating the horror, shame, guilt and various unwelcome feelings harming your well-being. Encouraged by the social movement and other channels that encourage survivors to reveal the abuse they suffered, victims of abuse are increasingly turning to the legal system to compensate them for the lifetime damage and injury they have suffered.
If you are a survivor of assault commited by a priest, the result of the abuse on your life and foundational belief system can be immeasurable. Regardless, holding the responsible person and institutions accountable for their crimes and failures can provide a measure of justice and recompense to abuse victims. Frequently, survivors can leverage their legal rights in confidential mediation thereby avoiding the need for litigation. However, if litigation is necessary, a case can be filed where the survivor can remain anonymous.
Predatory Behavior
All abusers, to varying amounts, use predatory methods that are commonly known as grooming, targeting a potential assault victim. Below is a list of grooming behaviors exhibited by predators who are in a job of authority in relation to the subordinate young child.
Grooming
Grooming is a significant piece of a predator’s ploy. In a religious setting, the clergy member is viewed 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 – like violent family setting, isolation, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – might be systematically exploited in the following ways:
Trust
An assaulter will initially work to gain the child’s trust. This strategy is most difficult to discern as church communities are frequently tight-knit and personal relation with clergy is commonplace. Here, the priest can pretend genuine concern in the child’s wellbeing and development – both emotional and religious.
Reliance
As a predator creates a trusting relationship with the potential victim and oftentimes their family, the child will begin to rely more and more on the predator for whatever need it is that the predator is exploiting and fulfilling. The victim will devote increased time with the priest, feeling more and more comfortable with the relationship and relying on its stability and security. In addition to attention and affection, the potential target might receive gifts from the priest, including valuable, intangible presents such as blessings and special recognition.
Isolation
As the grooming escalates, the predator may try to isolate the possible victim. This may result in solo counseling sessions, meals or various methods of one-on-one isolated encounters.
Sexualization
The predator may start to de-sensitize the child from reacting negatively to contact, caressing and other actions that lead to sexual interaction. This could start with crossing the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with suggestive messages to gauge the victim’s response to the progression. clergy abuse lawyer until the relationship advances to one of a physical, sexual nature.
Maintenance
Once the sexual relationship is established, the predator will work to keep control of the child and the continuing interaction. The predator will likely seek 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 needed to maintain the inappropriate physical relationship.
Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors
The effect of childhood abuse on the survivor can be severe and life-changing. Several priest 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 difficulty establishing and maintaining healthy relationships. Individualized therapy and support groups can assist survivors overcome these effects.
Legally, a victim of Clergy Sexual Abuse can gain financial compensation from the predator and, more frequently, from the religious organization 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 assault. 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 prepared to speak with you.
SPOILER ALERT!
Clergy Abuse – Overview
Church Sexual Abuse comprises a wide-range of illegal and heinous acts often commited against children and tweens by pedophilic priests or other church employees involving sexual abuse of varying degrees. The sexual assault may be a one-off, non-consensual scroll barencounter or it might involve numerous assaults inside an ongoing interaction. For example, an ongoing “trusting” interaction with a young child spawned by the predatory behavior of a clergy associate, blanketed by the trust and reverence imputed 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 short-coming by the Clergy member’s employer to entirely, adequately and immediately report the offense to law enforcement and other authorities, or its continuing failure to research, handle and resolve fully with the situation increases the harm on the assault survivor, the community and potentially others. Recent Clergy Sexual Assault cases covered in the press uncover these short-comings, including “pass-the-trash” scenarios where the predator frequently a priest in the Catholic Church, is suddenly moved from one location to another merely to continue his predatory, criminal action on an innocent parish community.
Priest and Clergy Sexual Abuse & Retribution
Not a day passes without a news headline reporting regarding sexual abuse and molestation of children by pedophile priests, or the legacy of the assault on the survivors and their families. If massachusetts priests accused of abuse are a survivor of sexual assault from a priest or other clergy member, these stories are most likely to act as an echo chamber, reverberating the horror, shame, guilt and other unwelcome thoughts hurting your wellness. Encouraged by the social movement and other channels that encourage them to reveal the assault they suffered, victims of assault are increasingly employing 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 priest, the impact of the abuse on your life and core belief system may be incalculable. Regardless, holding the responsible person and institutions to blame for their crimes and failures may provide an amount of justice and recompense to abuse victims. Commonly, victims 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.
Abusive Behavior
All predators, to varying degrees, use predatory tricks that are generally referred to as grooming, aiming at a potential abuse victim. Below is a list of grooming actions used by predators who are in a position of authority relative to the subordinate child.
Grooming
Grooming is a major part of a predator’s strategy. In a church setting, the clergy member is revered as God’s representative. In this setting, the predator often works closely with small numbers of children, identifying each child’s needs, weaknesses and situations. Once a victim is identified, these vulnerabilities – like violent family setting, isolation, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – might be systematically leveraged in the following ways:
Trust
A predator will initially work to gain the child’s trust. This step is most difficult to notice as church communities are often tight-knit and personal relation with clergy is commonplace. Here, the assaulter can feign sincere interest in the child’s wellness and development – both emotional and religious.
Reliance
As a predator creates a trusting relationship with the potential victim and oftentimes their family members, the child will start to rely more and more on the predator for whatever need it is that the priest is exploiting and fulfilling. The child may spend increased time with the priest, feeling more comfortable with the relationship and relying on its stability and security. In addition to attention and affection, the possible target might receive presents from the priest, including valuable, intangible presents like blessings and special recognition.
Isolation
While grooming progresses, the predator may try to isolate the potential target. This might result in single counseling meetings, meals or other forms of one-on-one isolated encounters.
Sexualization
The predator may start to de-sensitize the target from reacting negatively to touching, caressing and various actions that lead to sexual interaction. This might begin with breaking the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with suggestive messages to determine 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 of the child and the continued interaction. The predator will likely want to manipulate the child by continuing to make the victim feel special and worthy. The predator will keep exploiting the target by whatever ways necessary to maintain the inappropriate physical relationship.
Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors
The effect of childhood assault on the victim can be overwhelming and life-changing. Several clergy assault survivors suffer from long-term effects of the assault including depression, disturbed sleeping, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse and eating patterns, and problems establishing and maintaining healthy relationships. Individualized treatment and support groups can assist victims overcome these effects.
Legally, a survivor of Clergy Sexual Assault may recover financial compensation from the predator and, more commonly, 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 survivor of Priest or Clergy Sexual Assault and would like to confidentially discuss your situation and your legal options, we are ready to speak with you.
Within nearly all claimed Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse scenarios, the short-coming by the Clergy member’s employer to entirely, adequately and immediately report the offense to law enforcement and other authorities, or its continuing failure to research, handle and resolve fully with the situation increases the harm on the assault survivor, the community and potentially others. Recent Clergy Sexual Assault cases covered in the press uncover these short-comings, including “pass-the-trash” scenarios where the predator frequently a priest in the Catholic Church, is suddenly moved from one location to another merely to continue his predatory, criminal action on an innocent parish community.
Priest and Clergy Sexual Abuse & Retribution
Not a day passes without a news headline reporting regarding sexual abuse and molestation of children by pedophile priests, or the legacy of the assault on the survivors and their families. If massachusetts priests accused of abuse are a survivor of sexual assault from a priest or other clergy member, these stories are most likely to act as an echo chamber, reverberating the horror, shame, guilt and other unwelcome thoughts hurting your wellness. Encouraged by the social movement and other channels that encourage them to reveal the assault they suffered, victims of assault are increasingly employing 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 priest, the impact of the abuse on your life and core belief system may be incalculable. Regardless, holding the responsible person and institutions to blame for their crimes and failures may provide an amount of justice and recompense to abuse victims. Commonly, victims 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.
Abusive Behavior
All predators, to varying degrees, use predatory tricks that are generally referred to as grooming, aiming at a potential abuse victim. Below is a list of grooming actions used by predators who are in a position of authority relative to the subordinate child.
Grooming
Grooming is a major part of a predator’s strategy. In a church setting, the clergy member is revered as God’s representative. In this setting, the predator often works closely with small numbers of children, identifying each child’s needs, weaknesses and situations. Once a victim is identified, these vulnerabilities – like violent family setting, isolation, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – might be systematically leveraged in the following ways:
Trust
A predator will initially work to gain the child’s trust. This step is most difficult to notice as church communities are often tight-knit and personal relation with clergy is commonplace. Here, the assaulter can feign sincere interest in the child’s wellness and development – both emotional and religious.
Reliance
As a predator creates a trusting relationship with the potential victim and oftentimes their family members, the child will start to rely more and more on the predator for whatever need it is that the priest is exploiting and fulfilling. The child may spend increased time with the priest, feeling more comfortable with the relationship and relying on its stability and security. In addition to attention and affection, the possible target might receive presents from the priest, including valuable, intangible presents like blessings and special recognition.
Isolation
While grooming progresses, the predator may try to isolate the potential target. This might result in single counseling meetings, meals or other forms of one-on-one isolated encounters.
Sexualization
The predator may start to de-sensitize the target from reacting negatively to touching, caressing and various actions that lead to sexual interaction. This might begin with breaking the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with suggestive messages to determine 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 of the child and the continued interaction. The predator will likely want to manipulate the child by continuing to make the victim feel special and worthy. The predator will keep exploiting the target by whatever ways necessary to maintain the inappropriate physical relationship.
Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors
The effect of childhood assault on the victim can be overwhelming and life-changing. Several clergy assault survivors suffer from long-term effects of the assault including depression, disturbed sleeping, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse and eating patterns, and problems establishing and maintaining healthy relationships. Individualized treatment and support groups can assist victims overcome these effects.
Legally, a survivor of Clergy Sexual Assault may recover financial compensation from the predator and, more commonly, 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 survivor of Priest or Clergy Sexual Assault and would like to confidentially discuss your situation and your legal options, we are ready to speak with you.
Church Sexual Abuse – Information
Priest Sexual Abuse includes a wide-range of illegal and heinous behaviors commonly perpetrated on young children and tweens by pedophilic clergy or other church members involving sexual assault of varying degrees. The assault may be a one-time, non-consensual scroll barencounter or it can include many acts within an ongoing interaction. For example, a continuing “trusting” interaction with a young child spawned by the predatory intent of a church associate, cloaked by the trust and reverence imputed to a priest, leading to non-consensual sexual abuse acts of molestation.
Within all claimed Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse situations, the failure by the Church member’s employer to entirely, adequately and immediately report the crime to law enforcement and other authorities, or its continuing failure to investigate, cope with and resolve fully with the situation amplifies the harm on the abuse survivor, the community and potentially others. Recent Church Sexual Abuse cases reported in the media uncover these short-comings, that includes “pass-the-trash” scenarios where the predator frequently a clergy in the Catholic Church, is suddenly 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 Justice
Not a week goes by without a news headline coverage about sexual assault and molestation of children by predator priests, or the effects of the assault on the victims and their families. If you are a victim of sexual abuse from a priest or other clergy member, these stories are most likely to act as an echo chamber, reverberating the horror, shame, guilt and other unwelcome thoughts staining your well-being. Encouraged by the social movement and other pathways that encourage survivors to disclose the abuse they suffered, survivors of abuse are more frequently turning to the legal system to compensate them for the lifelong damage and injury they have experienced.
If you are a survivor of assault commited by a member of the church, the result of the abuse on your life and foundational belief system might be incalculable. Regardless, holding the responsible clergy and institutions to blame for their crimes and indifference might provide 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. However, if litigation is required, a motion may be filed where the survivor can remain anonymous.
Abusive Behavior
All predators, to varying degrees, use predatory tricks which are generally known as grooming, aiming at a possible abuse victim. Following is a survey of grooming actions used by predators who are in a job of authority in relation to the subordinate young child.
Grooming
Grooming is a significant piece of a predator’s strategy. In a religious setting, the priest is held as God’s representative. Within this environment, the predator often works closely with small amounts of children, understanding each child’s needs, weaknesses and circumstances. Once a target is identified, these vulnerabilities – like violent family setting, isolation, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – might be systematically leveraged in the following ways:
Trust
An assaulter will initially try to gain the child’s trust. rhode island priest abuse is most difficult to notice as church communities are often tight-knit and personal interaction with clergy is commonplace. Here, the priest can pretend 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 priest is exploiting and fulfilling. The child will devote more time with the predator, feeling more comfortable with the relationship and relying on its stability and security. In addition to attention and affection, the possible victim might receive gifts from the predator, including valuable, intangible gifts like blessings and special recognition.
Isolation
While grooming continues, the predator might work to isolate the possible victim. This may result in individual counseling meetings, meals or various forms of one-on-one isolated encounters.
Sexualization
The predator may start to de-sensitize the target from reacting negatively to touching, caressing and various behaviors that lead to sexual interaction. This might begin with crossing the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with inappropriate 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 predator will likely want 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 inappropriate physical relationship.
Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors
The impact of childhood assault on the survivor can be severe and life-changing. Many priest abuse 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 treatment and support groups can help victims overcome these effects.
Legally, a victim of Clergy Sexual Assault can gain financial compensation from the predator and, more commonly, 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 abuse. If you are a survivor 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.
Within all claimed Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse situations, the failure by the Church member’s employer to entirely, adequately and immediately report the crime to law enforcement and other authorities, or its continuing failure to investigate, cope with and resolve fully with the situation amplifies the harm on the abuse survivor, the community and potentially others. Recent Church Sexual Abuse cases reported in the media uncover these short-comings, that includes “pass-the-trash” scenarios where the predator frequently a clergy in the Catholic Church, is suddenly 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 Justice
Not a week goes by without a news headline coverage about sexual assault and molestation of children by predator priests, or the effects of the assault on the victims and their families. If you are a victim of sexual abuse from a priest or other clergy member, these stories are most likely to act as an echo chamber, reverberating the horror, shame, guilt and other unwelcome thoughts staining your well-being. Encouraged by the social movement and other pathways that encourage survivors to disclose the abuse they suffered, survivors of abuse are more frequently turning to the legal system to compensate them for the lifelong damage and injury they have experienced.
If you are a survivor of assault commited by a member of the church, the result of the abuse on your life and foundational belief system might be incalculable. Regardless, holding the responsible clergy and institutions to blame for their crimes and indifference might provide 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. However, if litigation is required, a motion may be filed where the survivor can remain anonymous.
Abusive Behavior
All predators, to varying degrees, use predatory tricks which are generally known as grooming, aiming at a possible abuse victim. Following is a survey of grooming actions used by predators who are in a job of authority in relation to the subordinate young child.
Grooming
Grooming is a significant piece of a predator’s strategy. In a religious setting, the priest is held as God’s representative. Within this environment, the predator often works closely with small amounts of children, understanding each child’s needs, weaknesses and circumstances. Once a target is identified, these vulnerabilities – like violent family setting, isolation, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – might be systematically leveraged in the following ways:
Trust
An assaulter will initially try to gain the child’s trust. rhode island priest abuse is most difficult to notice as church communities are often tight-knit and personal interaction with clergy is commonplace. Here, the priest can pretend 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 priest is exploiting and fulfilling. The child will devote more time with the predator, feeling more comfortable with the relationship and relying on its stability and security. In addition to attention and affection, the possible victim might receive gifts from the predator, including valuable, intangible gifts like blessings and special recognition.
Isolation
While grooming continues, the predator might work to isolate the possible victim. This may result in individual counseling meetings, meals or various forms of one-on-one isolated encounters.
Sexualization
The predator may start to de-sensitize the target from reacting negatively to touching, caressing and various behaviors that lead to sexual interaction. This might begin with crossing the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with inappropriate 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 predator will likely want 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 inappropriate physical relationship.
Impact on Clergy Abuse Survivors
The impact of childhood assault on the survivor can be severe and life-changing. Many priest abuse 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 treatment and support groups can help victims overcome these effects.
Legally, a victim of Clergy Sexual Assault can gain financial compensation from the predator and, more commonly, 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 abuse. If you are a survivor 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.
