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Clergy Sexual Abuse includes a wide-range of immoral and unacceptable actions frequently perpetrated on kids and teens by predatory priests or other church employees involving sexual assault of varying degrees. The sexual assault may be a one-time, non-consensual scroll barevent or it might include numerous assaults inside a continuing interaction. For instance, a continuing “trusting” interaction with a child spawned by the predatory intent of a church member, blanketed with the trust and reverence imputed to a priest, leading to non-consensual sexual assault acts of molestation.In most claimed Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse scenarios, the short-coming by the Church member’s superior to completely, adequately and immediately disclose the offense to police and other authorities, or its continuing failure to research, contend with and deal entirely with the situation amplifies the harm on the abuse survivor, the community and potentially others. Current Clergy Sexual Abuse cases reported in the media highlight these short-comings, which includes “pass-the-trash” scenarios where the predator frequently a clergy in the Catholic Church, is quietly moved from one parish to another only to continue his predatory, criminal action on an innocent parish community.Priest and Clergy Sexual Assault and JusticeNot a week passes without a news announcement coverage about sexual abuse and molestation of children by pedophile priests, or the effects of the abuse on the survivors and their families. If you are a victim of sexual abuse from a priest or other clergy member, these stories are most likely to serve as an echo chamber, replaying the horror, shame, guilt and various unwelcome feelings harming your wellness. Encouraged by the social movement and other channels that encourage victims to disclose the assault they suffered, victims of abuse are more frequently turning to the legal system to compensate them for the lifetime harm and injury they have experienced.If you are a survivor of abuse perpetrated by a member of the church, the result of the abuse on your life and core belief system can be incalculable. Regardless, holding the responsible clergy and institutions to blame for their crimes and failures might provide a measure of justice and recompense to abuse victims. Oftentimes, victims can leverage their legal rights in confidential mediation therein avoiding the need for litigation. However, if litigation is required, a case can be filed where the survivor can remain anonymous.Predatory BehaviorAll abusers, to varying amounts, employ predatory methods that are commonly referred to as grooming, aiming at a possible abuse victim. Following is a list of grooming behaviors exhibited by predators who are in a job of authority relative to the subordinate child.GroomingGrooming is a significant piece of a predator’s strategy. In a religious environment, the priest is viewed as God’s representative. Within this environment, the predator often works closely with small amounts of children, understanding each child’s needs, vulnerabilities and situations. Once a victim is located, these vulnerabilities – such as violent family setting, loneliness, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – may be systematically leveraged in the following ways:TrustAn assaulter will initially work to gain the child’s trust. This step is most difficult to discern as religious communities are often tight-knit and personal interaction with clergy is commonplace. Here, the assaulter can feign sincere concern in the child’s wellbeing and groeth – both emotional and religious.Reliance As a predator establishes a trusting relationship with the potential target 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. archdiocese of new york abuse will spend more 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 victim might receive gifts from the priest, including valuable, intangible presents such as blessings and special recognition.Isolation As the grooming continues, the predator will try to isolate the potential target. This might mean solo counseling meetings, meals or other methods of one-on-one isolated encounters.Sexualization The predator may begin to de-sensitize the target from reacting negatively to touching, caressing and other actions that lead to sexual interaction. This could begin with breaking the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with suggestive messages to determine the victim’s reaction to the progression. This will escalate until the relationship gets to one of a physical, sexual nature.Maintenance Once the sexual relationship is created, the predator will try to keep control over the child and the continued interaction. The predator will likely seek to manipulate the victim by continuing to make the target 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 SurvivorsThe impact of childhood abuse on the survivor can be overwhelming and life-altering. Many clergy assault 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 creating and keeping healthy relationships. Individualized therapy and support groups can assist survivors overcome these effects.Legally, a victim of Clergy Sexual Abuse may recover financial compensation from the predator and, more frequently, from the religious organization for its failure to protect the child from the abuse, as well as failures or deficiencies in its process of reviewing and responding to reports of abuse. If you are a survivor of Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse and would like to confidentially discuss your situation and your legal options, we are ready to speak with you.