Why Do Most Cases of Clergy Sexual Abuse Go Unreported?

How The Church Uses Power to Silence Survivors

According to a 2019 article published by NBC News, almost 1,700 priests and other clergy members have been accused of sexual abuse, and since then, there have been countless more. There are several reasons why survivors may choose not to come forward with their stories, including shame, fear of retaliation, and feelings of loyalty to the Church. Additionally, many survivors believe reporting their abuser will not lead to real change or justice.

To understand why so many cases of clergy sexual abuse go unreported, it is vital first to understand the dynamics of power and control within the Catholic Church. Here’s what you need to know.

Cover-Ups By The Catholic Church

The Catholic Church has a long history of covering up sexual abuse. This culture of secrecy and protectionism creates an environment where abusers can operate with impunity, thus leaving many cases of clergy sexual abuse to remain untold. The combination of the power imbalance within the Church and the culture of secrecy surrounding abuse makes it very difficult for survivors to come forward. They may fear that they will not be believed or that their abuser will not be held accountable. It is no wonder, then, that so many cases go unreported.

Manipulation at the Hands of the Abuser

Abusers are often very manipulative and can use their position of power to silence victims. In addition, their powerful position can also allow them to groom their victims and make them feel obligated to keep the abuse secret. Abusers may prey on children or vulnerable adults who are trusting and naive. They may gain the victim's trust by being kind and friendly and slowly gain their trust to carry out sexual abuse. They may threaten to hurt the victim or their family if they tell anyone about the abuse. This manipulation can effectively keep survivors of clergy sexual abuse quiet and prevent them from coming forward.

Fear of Shame and Victim-Blaming

One of the main reasons so many cases of clergy sexual abuse go unreported is that survivors are afraid of being shamed or blamed for the abuse. This is particularly true in the Catholic Church, where there is a history of victim-blaming. Survivors of clergy sexual abuse often feel a great deal of shame and self-blame. They may believe they are somehow responsible for the abuse or could have prevented it from happening. This is not true. No one ever deserves to be sexually abused.

Victim-blaming is unfortunately common in our society. Survivors of clergy sexual abuse often face skepticism, disbelief, and even hostility from others when they come forward with their stories. They may be told that they are making things up or that they are overreacting. Others may try to downplay the severity of the abuse or suggest that the survivor has exaggerated their encounter with the abuser.

Contact Our Clergy Sexual Abuse Lawyers For Help Today

It is important to remember that the only person responsible for sexual abuse is the abuser. No one deserves to be abused. If you are a survivor of clergy sexual abuse, know that you are not alone and that help is available. Our team offers trauma-informed representation to sexual abuse survivors. When you are ready to speak out against your abuser, we are here to help you every step of the way.

Contact Colorado Sex Abuse Law at (303) 835-9227 to receive a free and confidential consultation with a compassionate legal advocate.