Module L – Situational and Organizational Factors Affecting Sexual Abuse, Types of Offenders, - PowerPoint Presentation

1. Module L – Situational and Organizational Factors Affecting Sexual Abuse, Types of Offenders, Grooming Techniques, and Prevention of Abuse For Parishes and DiocesesL-1

2. Situational and Organizational Factors Related to Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic PriestsTypes of Offenders, Grooming Techniques, and PreventionL-2

3. Main Sources of DataReports presented to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops by the John Jay College Research Team, The City University of New YorkThe Causes and Context of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests in the United States, 1950-2010, March, 2011The Nature and Scope of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests and Deacons in the United States, 1950-2002, February 2004L-3

4. I. Situational Factors:Settings and Circumstances of Sexual AbuseL-4

5. Settings Where Victims First Met Priests Who Abused ThemLocation of First Meeting% Male Victims% Female VictimsA. Church/Parish Related64.8 58.9B. School/Teacher15.1 13.6C. Home of Victim or Relative of Victim 4.9 14.2D. Other Institutions 7.8 7.3E. Other 7.1 6.2 Total99.7100.2 * % Based on Nature and Scope and victim survey of 7,142 boys and 1,762 girls.L-5

6. A. Church/Parish RelatedLocation of First Meeting% Male Victims% Female VictimsAt Mass33.827.1At an Altar Service/In the Rectory12.310.7In the Parish17.519.9Home of Cleric 0.8 0.7Choir 0.4 0.5 Total64.858.9L-6

7. B. Teacher/School RelatedLocation of First Meeting% Male Victims% Female VictimsTeacher (up to grade 6) 0.7 1.3Teacher (grades 7-8) 0.9 1.4Teacher (grades 9-12) 8.4 4.9Sunday/Parish School 0.8 0.9Other School 2.4 4.9Seminary Faculty/Administrator 1.9 0.2 Total15.113.6L-7

8. C. Home of Victim or Relative of VictimLocation of First Meeting% Male Victims% Female VictimsHome of Victim/Social Function with Victim’s Family4.512.7Cleric is Relative0.4 1.5 Total4.914.2L-8

9. D. Other InstitutionsLocation of First Meeting% Male Victims% Female VictimsBoys Club/Youth Recreation4.95.6Work in Hospital0.80.7In Jail/Prison/Youth Offender Residence1.20.1Orphanage0.90.9 Total7.87.3Location% Male Victims% Female VictimsOther7.16.2E. OtherL-9

10. Physical Locations of AbuseLocation of Abuse% Male Victims% Female VictimsA. Church/Parish Related65.862.7B. Residences59.047.0C. Other Locations30.525.4L-10Note well: Clergy sexual abuse occurs in multiple settingsMost frequently it is in church-related locationsA wide range of residential contexts are usedOther public and private venues also are exploited

11. A. Church/Parish RelatedLocations of Abuse% Male Victims% Female VictimsCleric’s Home/Parish Residence36.330.7In Church14.212.9In School 8.211.4Cleric’s Office 6.2 7.6Congregate Residence 0.6 0.1 Total 65.862.7L-11

12. B. ResidencesLocation of Abuse% Male Victims% Female VictimsIn Victim’s Home10.910.4Vacation House 9.9 5.0In Other Residences (Friends, Family) 1.0 0.821.816.2(Following residences also included in A above.)Cleric’s Home/Parish Residence36.630.7Congregate Residence 0.6 0.1 Total59.047.0L-12

13. C. Other LocationsLocation of Abuse% Male Victims% Female VictimsIn a Car 8.5 8.4In a Hotel 7.0 3.6On Outings – Camp, Park, Pool 7.8 5.7Retreat House1.21.5In the Hospital 0.7 0.7Other 5.3 5.5 Total30.525.4L-13

14. Circumstances/Timing of AbuseCircumstances/Timing% Male Victims% Female VictimsA. Church/Parish Related27.127.8B. Social Event/Other Recreation42.240.8C. Other14.416.2 Total83.784.8* Categories are not mutually exclusive, as victims may have experienced abuse in more than one location.L-14

15. A. Church/Parish RelatedCircumstances/Timing% Male Victims% Female VictimsVisiting/Working at Cleric’s Home/Rectory13.213.1Church Service (Before, During, After) 8.0 3.4School Hours 4.2 8.2During Reconciliation 1.3 2.8Church Service, Training 0.4 0.3 Total27.127.8L-15

16. B. Social Event/Other RecreationCircumstances/Timing% Male Victims% Female VictimsDuring Social Event17.821.9During Travel14.0 7.2Cleric Visited Home of Victim 2.9 7.4During Sporting Event 4.5 2.5Outings 3.0 1.842.240.8L-16

17. C. OtherCircumstances/Timing% Male Victims% Female VictimsDuring Counseling 6.3 7.1Hospital Visit 0.1 0.2During a Retreat 0.8 1.4Other 7.2 7.514.416.2L-17

18. II. Organizational FactorsRelating to AbuseL-18

19. Priest’s Primary Duty or Roleat Time of AbuseDuty or Role% Male Victims% Female VictimsA. Pastoral/Parish Related 77.2 80.2B. Other Clerical Role 6.7 5.6C. School/Teaching Role 8.7 5.6D. Other 7.4 8.6 Total100.0100.0* Based on Nature and Scope victim surveys of 7,864 boys and 1,863 girls.L-19

20. A. Pastoral/Parish RoleDuty or Role% Male Victims% Female VictimsAssociate Pastor42.242.1Pastor25.026.0Resident Priest 8.810.9Saying Mass 1.2 1.2 Total 77.280.2L-20

21. B. Other Clerical RoleDuty or Role% Male Victims% Female VictimsBishop, Vicar, Chancellor, Cardinal0.40.2Seminarian/Seminary Administration/Faculty1.91.4School/Institutional Administrator1.01.7Chaplain2.82.1Worked in Hospital0.60.2 Total6.75.6L-21

22. C. School/Teaching RoleDuty or Role% Male Victims% Female VictimsTeacher (up to grade 6)0.20.1Teacher (grades 7-8)0.30.4Teacher (grades 9-12)7.24.2Guidance Counselor0.90.6Catechism Teacher0.10.3 Total8.75.6L-22

23. D. OtherDuty or Role% Male Victims% Female VictimsBoys Club/Recreation1.61.2Cleric is Relative0.31.0Other5.56.4 Total7.48.6L-23

24. A. The Fixated/Regressed TypologyThe distinction between fixated and regressed sexual offending exists on a continuum and is not simply a dichotomous distinction L-24Two issues that differentiate the types:The degree to which deviant sexual behavior is entrenchedThe basis of the psychological needs that lead to abuse

25. Fixated Offenders: DefinitionThey have persistent, continual, and compulsive attraction exclusively to children from adolescence onwardThey are usually diagnosed with pedophilia, or recurrent, intense, sexually arousing fantasies of at least six months in duration involving prepubescent childrenL-25

26. Regressed Offenders: DefinitionThey usually begin offending in adulthoodTheir offenses stem from stressors in the environment, which undermine self-esteem and confidence, and from disordered childhood relationshipsThey are not necessarily motivated by sexual needs aloneL-26

27. B. FBI Typologies: Situational Offenders, 1Regressed Offenders have poor coping skills, target victims who are easily accessible, abuse children as a substitute for adult relationshipsMorally Indiscriminate Offenders do not prefer children over adults and tend to use children (or anyone accessible) for their own interest (sexual and otherwise) Sexually Indiscriminate Offenders are mainly interested in sexual experimentation, and abuse children out of boredomInadequate Offenders are social misfits who are insecure, have low self-esteem, and see relationships with children as their only sexual outletL-27Type of Offender Situational offendersCharacteristics of Offenders

28. FBI Typologies: Preferential Offenders, 2Seductive Offenders “court” children and give them much affection, love, gifts, and enticements in order to carry on a “relationship”Fixated Offenders have poor psychosexual development, desire affection from children, and are compulsively attracted to childrenSadistic Offenders are aggressive, sexually excited by violence, target stranger victims, and are extremely dangerousL-28Type of Offender Preferential offendersCharacteristics of Offenders

29. C. Personality Characteristics ofClergy Offenders, 1One review of literature maintained that clergy offenders displayed shyness, loneliness, and passivityMMPI scores illustrated the presence of depression, authority concerns, and addiction problemsRorschach results indicated greater affect constriction than normalOffending clergy exhibited the presence of over-controlled hostility more than non-offending clergyL-29Several researchers have concluded that clergy offenders are truly unique in comparison to offenders within the general population.

30. Personality Characteristics ofClergy Offenders, 2One of the specific clergy studies found that offenders came from backgroundsCharacterized by rigidity and dysfunction with themes of abuseHad little insight into these areasHad insufficient training in the issue of transference/counter transferenceHad virtually no training or education concerning sexual abuse, domestic violence, addictive disease, or healthy professional boundaries, andFailed to appreciate how their history of trauma affected their professional lifeL-30

31. Onset of Abuse, 3: Overcoming External Factors that May Prevent Abuse from OccurringAbusers often create opportunities for the abuse to take place, such as socializing and building trust with the victim’s familyAbusers must overcome the child’s resistance to the abuse, which is generally achieved through grooming tactics such as verbal and/or physical coercion, seduction, games, and enticementsL-31

32. C. Grooming BehaviorExamples of various tactics or methods used to entice victims: seduction or manipulation verbal or physical intimidation provision of “benefits” such as tickets to sporting events, or taking them on trips, money, or other gifts building of personal and family relationships Grooming is a pre-meditated behavior intended to manipulate a potential victim into complying with sexual abuseL-32

33. Grooming 2, Seduction and Testing of a ChildThis tactic is used when there is a relationship with a child and the child is accustomed to the affectionate expression of the offenderThe offender gradually extends the affectionate behavior, all the while “testing” the child’s response; if no overt resistance is observed, the sexual abuse continuesL-33

34. Grooming 3, Emotional Manipulationand Verbal CoercionThese were the most common tactics used by offenders to groom their victims. Examples:- Doing favors for the victim in exchange for sex- Emotionally blackmailing the victim into compliance- Even though it may appear that there is room for negotiation on the part of the victim, the outcome always favors the offenderL-34

35. Grooming 4, Catching the Victim by SurpriseThe offender orchestrates a situation to distract the victim or seizes the opportunity to abuse when it occursA frequent situational opportunity arises when potential victims become altar servers or otherwise serve a role in the churchSeizing the opportunity is most common and is usually the result of the offender’s frustration from waiting for the right time to initiate contactL-35

36. Grooming 5, Using Verbal or Physical ForceThe offender garners victim compliance through use of forceThe offender either commands the victim to perform sexual acts and/or physically forces the victim to engage in sexual actsThis factor is more common among the most serious, repeat offendersL-36

37. Grooming 6, Disguising Sexual AdvancesThis tactic disguised sexual advances in the context of playing a game. Example:Offender will begin by tickling the victim and gradually progress to fondlingWhile this approach may appear spontaneous, it has been well planned by the offender, yet orchestrated in a rather surreptitious mannerL-37

38. Grooming 7, Using Alcohol and DrugsDuring the peak years of abuse, the use of alcohol and drugs by abusive priests increased significantly, but only for male victimsWhy this finding is important:The increase in the use of alcohol and drugs by the abuser is consistent with the increase in the abuse of malesThe increase in the abuse of males is consistent with the increase in the abuse of minors by priestsThe use of alcohol and/or drugs by the abuser is a feature of the “situational” or “regressed” child abuser, but not of the “fixated” abuserL-38

39. Grooming 8, Building Relationshipswith the Families of VictimsFamily relationships were built to gain trustParents of abused children trusted the priests without reservationThe children who were abused often accepted the abuse and did not report it for many yearsThis lack of disclosure and concern about reporting the abuse was one reason it was able to persistL-39

40. Grooming 9, Effects of Grooming over TimeGrooming tactics are premeditated and more methodically planned than spontaneous abuseThe offender is willing to wait months or even possibly years to accomplish his taskEventually the victim becomes groomed to the point that engaging in sex with the offender is more or less automaticL-40

41. Five Ways to Prevent Abuseby Implementing SituationalCrime Prevention ModelsIncrease the effort it takes for priests to commit acts of abuseImplement mandatory safe environment training to raise awareness amongPotential victimsGuardians Potential abusersL-41

42. Five Ways to Prevent Abuse, 2Increase the risks by making it more likely that those who commit acts of abuse will be identified, and once identified, will have more to loseIncrease the risk of getting “caught” by educating potential victims and guardiansEnforce the “zero tolerance” policy for abusers, which makes the risk greater if one is recognized as an abuserInstitute periodic evaluation of the performance of priests in dioceses so that questionable behavior will be more likely to be detected and controlledL-42

43. Five Ways to Prevent Abuse, 3Reduce the rewards by providing alternate outlets for close bonds with othersLessen the need for priests to develop social bonds with adolescents they are mentoringIncrease opportunities for priests to form social friendships and suitable bonds with age-appropriate personsL-43

44. Five Ways to Prevent Abuse, 4Reduce provocations by diminishing the factors that may lead priests to abuse, such as stressProvide stress-reduction seminars after transitions into a new parishRequire ongoing formation, including opportunities to develop administrative and financial planning skillsMake available time for participation in priest support groups to decrease likelihood of isolation and stressL-44

45. Five Ways to Prevent Abuse, 5Remove excuses through education about what types of behavior are and are not appropriate with minorsEliminate, as far as possible, the ability of priests to use techniques of ‘neutralization,’ whereby they excuse and justify inappropriate behaviorTechniques of neutralization often develop over time and after periods of stress or other negative experiences in work and lifeL-45

46. Summary of Situational and Organizational Factors, Types of Offenders, Grooming, and PreventionRelated to Sexual Abuse of MinorsSituational Factors: Settings and Circumstances of Sexual AbuseSettings Where Victims First Met Priests Who Abused Them, Physical Locations of Abuse, and Circumstances and Timing of AbuseOrganizational Factors Related to Abuse- Priests’ Primary Duty or Role at Time of AbuseTypes of Offenders: Fixated, Regressed, Situational, and PreferentialCharacteristics of Clergy OffendersGrooming TechniquesSituational Crime Prevention L-46

47. Discussion Questions, 1L-47Taking into account the circumstances and timing that were most common when abuse was perpetrated, what instructions should be given to parishioners, especially parents, and to children about sexual abuse? What safeguards should be implemented in parish settings to reduce the probability of abuse?Considering the settings and locations where abuse took place, what precautions should priests and other church leaders take relative to where they meet young people?What are the major differences between types of sexual offenders?

48. Discussion Questions, 2What risk factors particular to clergy might be observed in potential clergy sex offenders?What are the essential ingredients of educational programs that can help prevent sexual abuse?What components of the prevention models are most useful in your situation?How can oversight be enhanced to prevent further sexual abuse? To what extent are recommendations on education of young people, parishioners, and church leaders being implemented?L- 48Link to USCCB – http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/charter.cfm

49. Prepared by:Sister Katarina Schuth, O.S.F., St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, University of St. ThomasTechnical Associate: Catherine SlightConsultants: Dr. Karen Terry and Margaret Smith, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, authors of major studies on sexual abuse for the USCCB; Dr. Mary Gautier, Center for Applied Research in the ApostolateL-49