Survivor Guide
Clergy Sex Abuse Survivors
Clergy abuse comes at the hands of the people we’re supposed to trust the most. When the shepherds start terrorizing their flock, clergy sexual abuse survivors can turn to us for support.
Survivors of clergy sexual abuse may experience a range of symptoms that can have a profound impact on their emotional, physical, and behavioral well-being. The effects can be profoundly traumatic and may manifest in various ways.
What Is Clergy Abuse?
Clergy abuse refers to the sexual misconduct committed by members of organized religion, including priests, pastors, and other religious leaders. It involves the abuse of power and trust. Clergy sexual abuse includes grooming, exploitation, and abuse of children or adults by clergy members.
How Many Priests Have Been Convicted of Abuse?
Clergy abuse statistics are difficult to fully calculate due to complex cover-up systems that keep the injustices hidden. As a result, convictions in criminal courts are disappointingly rare. More than 1,700 credibly accused priests are not monitored by authorities, making it easy for them to cause more harm.
Recent Clergy Abuse News Stories
- In 2018, the Pennsylvania grand jury report revealed 300 priests in Pennsylvania had abused over 1,000 children. The cover-up allegedly allowed the abuse to continue for decades, leaving countless survivors traumatized.
- In 2023, an investigation in Illinois uncovered that 451 Catholic clergy members had allegedly sexually abused thousands of children, revealing a systemic pattern of abuse and cover-up within the Illinois Catholic Church.
- A probe in Baltimore exposed 158 accused priests and revealed over 600 survivors.
Are Clergy Members Mandated Reporters?
The requirement for clergy to be mandated reporters of child abuse varies from state to state. While some states explicitly include clergy as mandated reporters, thirty-three states have exemptions or loopholes that may limit their reporting obligations. The clergy privilege loophole refers to the legal protection or exemption that some states grant clergy members, which may exempt them from reporting suspected child abuse to the authorities.
Symptoms of Clergy Sexual Abuse — Emotional
- Fear, shame, guilt, and depression
- Anxiety and anger
- Flashbacks and nightmares
Symptoms of Clergy Sexual Abuse — Physical
- Chronic pain, headaches, and stomachaches
- Fatigue and sleep disturbances
- Sexual dysfunction
- Substance abuse and STIs
Symptoms of Clergy Sexual Abuse — Behavioral
- Withdrawal from social activities and isolation
- Self-harm and eating disorders
- Difficulties in relationships and trust issues
- Risky behaviors
Advocacy Groups for Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors
- SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests) — snapnetwork.org: resources, support groups, and a platform for survivors to share their stories.
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) — rainn.org: the largest anti-sexual violence organization in the US. Hotline: 800-656-HOPE (4673).
- 1in6 — 1in6.org: dedicated to standing behind male survivors of sexual abuse.
Mental Health Resources for Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors
Recovering from the trauma of clergy sexual abuse can be a complex and challenging process, and professional mental health support is often crucial. Survivors need a safe, encouraging environment — whether through individual therapy, group therapy, support groups, or a combination. Trauma-informed clinicians should know how to navigate helping patients through processing difficult past events. Therapeutic approaches may include trauma-focused therapy, cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), and mindfulness-based techniques.
Difference Between Civil and Criminal Cases
Participation in a clergy sex abuse criminal trial doesn’t preclude you from filing a civil lawsuit against the perpetrator or the church. In a criminal trial, the accused faces criminal charges (jail time), whereas in a civil trial, the accused faces financial damages. The burden of proof in a civil trial is also less than in a criminal court. Even if a trial was lost in criminal court, it could still succeed in civil cases.
Who May Be Liable in a Clergy Sexual Abuse Case?
Liability can rest with an individual, religious institution, or both. In cases where an accused clergy member is deceased, survivors may be able to sue the clergy member’s estate.
What Is the Average Settlement for Clergy Abuse?
- The Diocese of Syracuse reached a settlement of $100 million for hundreds of survivors.
- The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles settled for $600 million for clergy abuse survivors.
- The Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis settled for $210 million for 450 clergy abuse survivors.
Statute of Limitations on Clergy Sex Abuse Cases
The statute of limitations for clergy sex abuse cases varies by state. Many states are recognizing that childhood sex abuse makes disclosure rare — 55 to 70% of childhood sexual abuse survivors don’t disclose until they become adults. Some states are opening lookback windows, allowing survivors to sue civilly after the previous statute of limitations has passed. Notable examples include Colorado, Louisiana, Maryland, and many more.
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