Clergy Abuse

In recent years, researchers have asked U.S. Catholics about their views and perceptions regarding sexual misconduct and abuse within the church. The responses they provided help show how people’s perceptions have been changing. For example, a survey carried out by...

When a member of the clergy uses their position to prey on children, the entire community may feel the effects of their choice. Generally speaking, state law in Florida makes it clear that minors cannot consent to intimate encounters with others, especially not...

This October, hundreds of people who were victims of sexual abuse by clergy in the Archdiocese of New Orleans will be voting on whether to accept the settlement offer. That settlement has been predicted to run the archdiocese, which has filed for bankruptcy, anywhere...

It takes a lot of courage to report sexual misconduct. Especially when the victim is a child and the offender is a person in a position of authority, reporting what happened can be a very intimidating idea. When children let a trusted adult know what happened, they...

Quid pro quo sexual abuse is something that often happens in a workplace setting. It means that something is being exchanged for something else. An example could be a CEO offering their secretary a raise or a promotion in exchange for a sexual relationship. But does...

Individuals with predatory intentions often seek authority over others and access to vulnerable people. While many people who pursue religious vocations have good intentions, some may be bad actors. Historically, clergy members from a variety of different...

It’s very common for clergy abuse to only come to light years or even decades later. Often, victims don’t speak up for a significant amount of time. They don’t report what has happened to them. This certainly doesn’t undermine their accusations, but it does sometimes...

Members of church congregations usually trust their priests, pastors, deacons and other members of the clergy. While that trust is usually well placed, there are times when that trust is established by the clergy for nefarious purposes.  Clergy members who are...

Religious institutions are often seen as sanctuaries, places that can offer safety, support and community. However, when they fail in this crucial responsibility, it can lead to serious consequences, especially in cases involving abuse. For survivors, understanding...

People who see headlines related to clergy abuse are often shocked to learn that this type of situation still happens. Many of the cases that are made public have to do with priests in the Catholic church, all of whom are males. Other cases have to do with priests and...