Witness Justice: Justice Systems - Justice and Sexual Abuse by Clergy

Justice and Sexual Abuse by Clergy

Victims of Sexual Abuse by Clergy

Nothing devastates the soul like shattered trust from sexual abuse, particularly from those in whom we have placed spiritual confidence. What happens when the person who represents all that is holy and good abuses a child or vulnerable adult?

Victims of sexual crime by clergy, particularly children, often feel isolated and blame themselves. "I must have done something to cause this." "There must be something wrong with me." Children who are victims of sexual abuse by spiritual mentors will inevitably struggle with issues of trust in future relationships. Not only do they develop deep misgivings about their faith, the betrayal leaves them feeling powerless and without hope for true intimacy with others.

If you have been sexually abused or otherwise victimized by clergy, the journey of healing is not an easy one. But there is help and there are solutions. Remember:

You are not alone. One study by the University of Chicago, relating to Catholic clergy, estimates that many thousands of children in the United States have been abused by clergy. This says nothing of countless others who have been abused by clergy in other denominations and faiths.
You are probably not the only one your abuser harmed. Chances are that the clergy who abused you also abused (or is still abusing) others.
Your pain is real. Without help, victims of childhood sexual abuse may spend a lifetime struggling with depression, relationship difficulties and severe spiritual and emotional wounds.

Getting Help

If you were abused as a child, it may be that you tried to speak up but were silenced. You may have decided to never talk about it again. But gather your courage — the road to healing will begin as you reach out and dare to trust again.

Confide in a family member or friend you feel will listen.
Seek professional counseling outside of the organizational network in which you were abused. The National Center for Victims of Crime can provide confidential referrals and resources either online or via the national victim hotline: 1-800-FYI-CALL.
Find a support group for victims of sexual abuse. The Survivor's Network for Those Abused by Priests may also be a helpful resource.

Seeking Justice

For many survivors, the healing process entails not only a desire to bring their perpetrators to justice, but also to protect other potential victims. Depending on the circumstances, there are a few different courses of action. Sexual Abuse and Civil Prosecution
If you were sexually abused as a child or otherwise, the person who harmed you broke the law and should be punished by the authorities. Even if your abuse took place years earlier, reporting what happened to you could help other victims heal and save still more from future abuse.

Most states have a statute of limitations, a period of time usually beginning once the abused reaches the age of maturity (usually 18) within which the crime can be reported and prosecuted. In some cases the law may allow for prosecution a number of years after the incident is remembered or realized by the victim. Those abused as adults usually have a period of one to two years in which to report and seek prosecution, and laws differ from state to state for the mentally handicapped. You can find the status of your state's statutes for childhood sexual abuse online.

Even if your state's statute of limitations is up, the person who abused you may still be in ministry and endangering the welfare of others. You may want to report him or her to the church, but keep in mind that approaching the religious organization that abused you is a serious, personal decision. It could be a part of your journey to healing, but be careful - it could also be traumatic if you are not yet ready for it.

Reporting Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church
Religious organizations rarely have policies regarding sexual abuse. Therefore, it is difficult to know what to expect in approaching an organization with a complaint. Furthermore, sexual abuse by clergy is in no way unique to one religious institution. However, in the face of mass media attention on the topic, the Catholic Church is developing new policies to address sexual abuse claims. Following is what you can expect to happen upon bringing a sexual abuse complaint to the Catholic Church.

If you were abused by a Catholic clergyman or someone on staff within the Catholic Church, you must report the incident within ten (10) years for action to be taken by the Church.
If your perpetrator is still in ministry, the Bishop of your diocese has the power to temporarily relieve him of his duties pending a Church investigation.
While a review board of mostly lay people reviews the case, someone from that board will be assigned to provide resources for your pastoral care. (See also Things to Remember in Approaching the Church.)
The case will be put in the hands of the Vatican and tried either in Rome or the U.S. by a panel of priests.
The trial will then be reviewed and ultimately decided by the Vatican. The perpetrator will either be permanently relieved of his duties within the Church if found guilty, or reinstated if found innocent.

These procedures are cumbersome and lengthy, and the outcome could be very painful for a victim. If your convictions lead you to report the crime against you to your church leaders, following are some considerations that may apply to any denomination.

Things to Remember in Approaching Your Church or Other Religious Organization

If you decide to go to the church with a complaint of sexual abuse, take someone with you as a witness to the event and to provide a sounding board for when it's over.
Be clear with all your facts (dates, times, names, places, etc.) before you meet with church leaders so that inconsistencies will not damage your case.
Pastoral care may be offered by the church in the form of counseling. Be cautious in the choice of a counselor, especially if that person is a staff member of the institution within which you were abused. It is important to find an independent counselor who will have your interest and welfare as the primary focus and concern.
Keep in mind that only 26 states require the reporting of sexual abuse of a minor by anyone and only 10 specifically require it of the clergy. If your state isn't one of these, don't expect the church to contact the civil authorities for you. If you report your incident to the church, it is also important to report it to local authorities so that your perpetrator can be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.
To its credit, the Catholic Church has ordered that all diocese must, in every instance, advise and support your right to report the incident to civil authorities. Don't allow yourself to be pressured into keeping quiet.