Clergy Abuse comprises a wide-range of immoral and unacceptable actions frequently perpetrated against kids and tweens by predatory priests or other church members involving sexual abuse of varying amounts. The assault can be a one-time, non-consensual scroll barencounter or it might include numerous assaults inside a continuing interaction. For example, a continuing “trusting” interaction with a young child spawned by the predatory behavior of a clergy associate, cloaked with the trust and respect imputed to a member of the clergy, leading to non-consensual sexual attack acts of molestation.In all claimed Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse scenarios, the short-coming by the Church member’s employer to entirely, adequately and immediately report the crime to law enforcement and other authorities, or the further failure to research, address and deal entirely with the situation amplifies the effects on the assault survivor, the community and potentially others. Current Church Sexual Assault cases reported in the press show these short-comings, which includes “pass-the-trash” scenarios where the abuser oftentimes a clergy in the Catholic Church, is suddenly moved from one parish to another merely to continue his predatory, criminal action on an unaware parish community.Priest and Clergy Sexual Assault and JusticeNot a week goes by without a news headline coverage regarding sexual abuse and molestation of children by predator priests, or the legacy of the abuse on the survivors and their families. If you are a victim of sexual assault from a priest or other clergy member, these stories are most likely to serve as an echo chamber, replaying the horror, embarrassment, guilt and other unwelcome emotions hurting your wellness. Encouraged by the societal movement and other pathways that encourage survivors to disclose the abuse they experienced, survivors of abuse are increasingly turning to the legal system to compensate them for the lifelong harm and injury they have suffered.If you are a victim of assault perpetrated by a member of the clergy, the result of the abuse on your life and core belief system may be incalculable. Nonetheless, holding the responsible clergy and institutions accountable for their crimes and failures might offer an amount of justice and recompense to abuse survivors. Oftentimes, survivors can leverage their legal rights in confidential mediation therein avoiding the need for litigation. However, if litigation is necessary, a case can be filed where the victim can remain anonymous.Predatory BehaviorAll abusers, to varying amounts, use predatory tricks which are generally referred to as grooming, aiming at a potential assault victim. Following is a survey of grooming behaviors used by predators who are in a position of authority relative to the subordinate child.GroomingGrooming is a significant piece of a predator’s strategy. In a religious setting, the clergy member is viewed as God’s representative. In this environment, the predator often works closely with small amounts of children, identifying each child’s needs, vulnerabilities and situations. Once a target is located, these vulnerabilities – like violent family setting, loneliness, low self-esteem, emotional neediness, attention-seeking – might 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 frequently tight-knit and personal interaction with clergy is commonplace. Here, the assaulter can pretend genuine concern in the child’s wellbeing and groeth – both emotional and religious.Reliance As a predator creates a trusting relationship with the potential victim and oftentimes their family, the child will start to rely more and more on the predator for any need it is that the priest is exploiting and fulfilling. The child may devote increased time with the priest, feeling more comfortable with the relationship and counting on its stability and security. In addition to attention and affection, the possible victim may receive presents from the priest, including valuable, intangible gifts such as blessings and special recognition.Isolation While grooming continues, the predator might work to isolate the potential target. This may result in single counseling sessions, meals or other methods of one-on-one isolated moments.Sexualization The predator may begin to de-sensitize the target from reacting negatively to contact, caressing and other behaviors that lead to sexual interaction. This may start with breaking the physical-touch barrier, or verbally, with inappropriate messages to determine the victim’s response to the progression. This will escalate until the relationship gets to one of a physical, sexual nature.Maintenance As the sexual relationship is created, the predator will work to maintain control of the child and the continued interaction. The predator may likely want to manipulate the child by continuing to make the target feel special and worthy. The predator will keep exploiting the target by whatever methods necessary to maintain the immoral physical relationship.Impact on Clergy Abuse SurvivorsThe effect of childhood abuse on the victim can be overwhelming and life-altering. arizona church abuse suffer from long-term effects of the assault including depression, disturbed sleeping, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, low self-esteem, suicidal thoughts, substance abuse and eating patterns, and difficulty establishing and maintaining healthy relationships. Individualized therapy and support groups can help victims overcome these effects.Legally, a survivor of Clergy Sexual Assault can gain financial compensation from the predator and, more commonly, from the church for its failure to protect the victim from the assault, as well as failures or deficiencies in its method of reviewing and responding to reports of assault. If you are a victim of Priest or Clergy Sexual Abuse and would like to confidentially discuss your experience and your legal options, we are ready to talk with you.