Houston Clergy Abuse

Children who are raised in the church are taught to trust and to obey clergy members. Unfortunately some members of the clergy misuse the power issued to them by taking advantage of children in their congregation by assaulting or sexually abusing them. Priests, ministers, rabbis, pastors, reverends, or other religious leaders in positions of authority within their respective congregations have recently been convicted of child sexual abuse, inappropriate sexual contact and rape across the United States and around the world.

Repercussions suffered from sexual abuse can affect the victim both physically and psychologically for the rest of his or her life. Child sexual abuse victims can experience problems forming positive adult relationships later on. They may even suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), including recurring memories, flashbacks, and nightmares through which the ordeal is relived. They may withdraw socially, have issues trusting people, have problems sleeping, develop eating disorders, and have trouble concentrating; they may even develop chemical dependency on drugs or alcohol.

According to the most often quoted source for clergy abuse statistics, the John Jay College of Criminal Justice study titled The Nature and Scope of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests and Deacons in the United States,

• Allegations of sexual misconduct were made against four percent of the 109,694 priests who served during the period 1950-2002.
• These allegations were made on behalf of 10,667 persons who were alleged to have suffered clergy abuse.
• The vast majority—75 percent of these abuse incidents happened during the period 1960-1984.
• Costs assumed by the Catholic Church during the period of the study totaled $573 million.
• Of the $573 million paid by the church to clergy abuse victims, $219 million was paid by the church’s insurance companies.
• Over half—50.9 percent of the clergy abuse victims were ages 11 through 14.
• 27.3 percent of the victims were ages 15 through 17.
• Only 19 percent of the victims were female.
• 81 percent of the clergy abuse victims were male.
• Less than 13 percent of allegations of sexual abuse within the church were made during the year in which the alleged abuse actually began.
• Over 25 percent of allegations of sexual abuse were made more than 30 years after the abuse began.
• 27 percent of the clergy who were convicted of committing abuse had multiple victims.
• The Catholic Church spent $20 million in 2004, on efforts to prevent child sexual abuse including police background checks on more than 32,000 priests and more than 750,000 lay people who work with children in Catholic parishes and Catholic schools.
• More than 90 percent of all U.S. dioceses did voluntarily report their abuse statistics by the year 2004.
• 68 percent of priests with allegations of child sexual abuse were ordained between 1950 and 1979.Priest ordained after 1979 accounted for only 10.7 percent of allegations made.
• 32 percent of priests who were subject to allegations of sexual abuse were also known to have other psychological or behavioral problems.

Statistics point to the fact that there exists no higher level of child sexual abuse than that which is committed by clergy members or other religious leaders. In the case of the Catholic Church in particular, priests are considered direct links to God or God’s representatives on earth. Therefore the psychological harm done to these children is far greater. Sexual advances made by a man of God is disillusioning to children—especially those who are highly religious and trusting of this esteemed adult religious figure. They may experience intense shame and betrayal. Some who were abused have said it is as if they have been robbed of more than just their innocence; they have been robbed of their spiritual security as well.

It has been estimated that up to 20 percent of victims, children who were abused by religious authorities, consider suicide at some point in their lives. After the occurrence of the abuse, children may not tell a parent or another adult about the incident. They may be afraid no one will believe that a clergyman would do such a thing. They may fear they will be blamed for the abuse or they may in fact feel in some way responsible for the abuse occurring. As a result the abuse may go unreported until the children become adults and reflect back on the incident.

Even when children do have the courage to report the abuse, cover-ups may follow. Taking steps to release the names of all priests who face credible allegations of child sexual abuse has been done in fewer than a dozen dioceses across the country. Some bishops have attempted to evade the promise in the Dallas Charter which requires permanent removal of any priest who has committed sexual abuse involving a minor. In 2004, at least 42 priests remained in active ministry pending a preliminary investigation of abuse charges. Tragically many of those accused of abusing children within the church have been simply moved/reassigned to other parishes. This only serves to put another group of children at risk. Once clergy become predators they often do not stop with one victim but instead abuse multiple children.

According to an Associated Press article dated June 24, 2011, a Texas man who alleges he was sexually molested by a priest in the 1970’s just filed a civil lawsuit against a West Texas diocese and the Jesuits. The suit claims the defendants in the case either knew or should have known about the incidents of abuse and failed to provide protection from the abuser. The accuser claims that the Jesuit priest convinced him to become an altar boy at Sacred Heart Church in El Paso. The suit claims the man, who was not identified by name, was molested over a two-year period. The alleged abuse occurred in the priest’s vehicle on the way to and from church functions. The El Paso Roman Catholic Diocese has said it has a policy of not commenting on ongoing cases. Church officials want to read the lawsuit in its entirety before making any comments.

The institutional church has only recently and reluctantly begun to fully acknowledge the magnitude of damage that has occurred through years of deception and denial. Once an allegation of clergy abuse has been documented, two persons are in need of treatment, the victim and the abuser. The primary focus should always be on the victim.

If you or a loved one has been sexually abused by officials of a church, contact the Houston, Texas based Wyly Law Firm, P.C. at (713) 574-7034

Or to schedule a private consultation, fill out our online contact form.

These Hubs are provided for informational purposes only and should not be considered legal advice. Professional legal counsel should be sought for specific advice relevant to your circumstances.