Clergy abuse has been a hot topic in the media in recent years and for valid reasons. Credible accusations of sexual abuse committed by members of the clergy have been appearing more and more frequently.
With over two decades of experience advocating for survivors of sexual abuse, White Law PLLC, our Okemos clergy sexual abuse lawyer, and the rest of our team know that this is an all too prevalent issue.
Sexually abusing a child is an unthinkable act for most of us, and it’s something we may never understand. Among the questions of how someone could do this, we may also wonder why it is happening so much among clergy members.
This question doesn’t have an easy answer, and academic research in the area is limited, but several factors may provide some insight into why we see this in the church at the rates we do.
Understanding Clergy Abuse
Clergy abuse is when a member of the clergy perpetrates abuse on another individual, though in this case, we are specifically referring to sexual abuse. Merriam-Webster defines clergy as a member of a group of ordained individuals who perform sacerdotal or pastoral duties. This can be in a Christian church or any other place or any other non-Christian religion.
Unfortunately, there are not many current studies that explore widespread numbers of sexual abuse among clergy or the scope of abuse in the Catholic Church in Michigan.
However, the Rape Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) shows children and teen statistics reporting that 1:9 girls and 1:20 boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18. To understand if the rate of clergy abuse is significant, we also need to understand the rates in society and other child-heavy settings.
In a more recent study of sexual abuse at the hands of Catholic clergy, a low estimate shows about 4% of the clergy records scanned had allegations of abuse, and about 28% involved at least two minors.
Similarly, according to a study regarding the nature and scope of educator misconduct, nearly 11% of students reported experiencing at least one kind of educator misconduct, and 1% experienced some degree of physical sexual misconduct.
When we compare these numbers, they don’t significantly deviate from the national numbers of child sexual assault cases, possibly suggesting that the clergy are not any more prone to abuse than other fields that may also provide less supervised access to children.
Power Dynamics
When we discuss sexual assault, one of the most important factors to remember is that it is not about sex. It’s about power. The clergy in the church have an inherent power dynamic that goes beyond the authority an adult is given over a child but extends to divine authority.
Perpetrators manipulate and intimidate children with their authority easily enough as it is. When that authority extends to God, the child becomes more concerned with obedience.
In some cases, survivors have reported the clergy member telling them that the assault was between them and God, suggesting the responsibility and shame is theirs to carry.
When a clergy member abuses a child, they may threaten to hurt someone close to them, tell them that their parents will be mad or ashamed, or remind them that it’s their word against the abuse.
In situations where the abuser has authority or respect in the community, it is reasonable that the child may fear not being believed. The safety someone in power feels when they are assured of the victim’s silence allows the abuse to continue.
If you or someone you know endured clergy sex abuse, contact White Law PLLC today.
Shame
Shame is one of the most common experiences of someone who an abuser has victimized. Regarding shame and child sexual abuse, research has shown that feelings of shame are one of the main reasons a child may choose not to report. This shame can be compounded by social factors such as:
- Social and cultural stigmas of sexual abuse
- The secrecy involved in the abuse
- The blame the perpetrator might place on the child.
- The child may fear a lack of support from their community.
These factors are relevant in our society but can become more potent in a church setting where topics relating to sex and sexual assault are seen as taboo or shameful. Families often find their entire community and social life in the church. Separating from that can be difficult, leading many families and communities to try dismissing the child’s concerns or otherwise protecting the status quo.
You can contact our clergy sex abuse lawyers today and rest easier with experienced attorneys tackling your case.
Hypothesized Contributing Factors to Child Sexual Abuse by Clergy
A quick Google search of the phenomenon of pedophiles and child abusers from clergy members will discuss hypotheses about celibacy being the culprit or that clergy members are more likely to be gay and, therefore, sexually deviant enough to assault children. The reality is, though, that most offenders are straight-identifying men. Further, being celibate does not suddenly make you attracted to children or violent enough to violate them.
What we do know about the trends in abuse is that, according to RAINN, around 88% of people who sexually abuse children are men. In a community that traditionally does not allow women into their clergy positions, they are staffed by men. In statistics alone, this increases the risk of sexual abuse compared to less male-dominated fields.
The rates of child sexual abuse by members of the clergy may never be fully explained, but we can identify factors that increase risk or provide protection and examine the way they interact.
That is, clergy members represent the divine, and with that comes obedience, particularly with eager-to-please and vulnerable children. This power exchange, along with the value placed on purity and taboo of sexual acts, creates the perfect environment for perpetrators to act and ensure silence.
Prevalence of Clergy Sexual Abuse
The systems that include clergy are systems that also create the perfect storm for abuse. This pattern of clergy victims who are reclaiming their stories and breaking the silence poses disturbing questions about how this can continue happening in a community that we thought was safe. Any situation that offers increased access to children, extreme power differentials, and a culture of shame surrounding abuse is more vulnerable to higher rates of predation on children.
At White Law PLLC. we understand that coming forward about abuse from clergy members can be an incredibly painful process. We endeavor to work with our clients and provide an outlet to tell their stories and seek justice for their abusers. You don’t have to suffer in silence, so call us today.
You have the right to reach out to a clergy sex abuse attorney and discuss your right to legal action.
