Catholic Clergy Abuse: Parallels and Perspectives - PowerPoint Presentation

1. Catholic Clergy Abuse: Parallels and PerspectivesKaren J. Terry John Jay College of Criminal JusticePresented at: University of Michigan School of Social Work,Safety of Minors on College and University Campuses

2. Abuse within InstitutionsAbuse prevalent in institutions where adults mentor or spend time alone with children and adolescentsTwo studies on sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests in the United StatesNature and ScopeCauses and Context 2

3. Abuse within the Catholic Church Annual meeting, June 2002The Charter for the Protection of Children and Young PeopleThe Office of Child and Youth ProtectionThe National Review BoardConduct two studies:Nature and Scope – understand what happened Causes and Context – understand why it happened

4. Nature and Scope StudyExamine the characteristics and extent of allegations of sexual abuse between 1950 and 2002 Collect information about the alleged abusersCollect information about the characteristics of the alleged victimsCollect information about the financial impact of the abuse on the Church

5. Nature and Scope: MethodologySurveyed all dioceses and religious communities about sexual abuse allegations against clerics from 1950 to 2002 Three surveys per diocese A profile of each dioceseA survey for each priest with an allegation of abuse in Church filesA survey for each individual who made an allegation of abuse against a priestResponse rate: 97%

6. Nature and Scope: Key Findings Number of abusers: 4,392 (approximately 4% of priests in ministry during that time)Consistent across all sizes of dioceses and in all regions (range = 3-6%)Number of victims: 10,667 (has since increased with reports post-2003)Distribution of abuse incidents 1950 – 2002: Rise in the 1960s, peak in the 1970s/ early 1980s, sharp decline by mid-1980s.

7. Distribution of Abuse Incidents1950-2002

8. Distribution of Abuse Incidents (Count of abuse incidents, JJC & CARA,1950-2002, 2004-2008)

9. Nature and Scope: Reports of Abuse, by Year Reported

10. Characteristics of Priest abusers Most were diocesan priests (approximately two-thirds) and either pastors or associate pastors Range in age from mid-20s (in seminary) to 90 at first incident of abuse Slightly more than half had one allegation of abuse; about one-quarter had 2-3 allegations of abuse3.5% of priests responsible for approximately 26% of all sexual abuse acts against children (“career criminals”)Most were “generalists” rather than specialists

11. Duration of Abusive Behavior (where abuse is more than 1 year)# VictimsMean Length of Abuse (in years)Range of Duration in years11.581-212-37.201-404-911.901-4110-1918.105-4120+22.031-35Overall4.990-41

12. Nature and Scope: Offender Types

13. Nature and Scope: Victim Age and Gender

14. JJC & CARA Data: Victim Age

15. JJC & CARA Data: Gender

16. Questions Raised What explained the peak of abuse behavior in the 1970s? Were there factors in society generally, or in the Catholic Church, that led to the increase in abuse incidents?Are priest abusers unique, either to other priests or to non-clergy sexual abusers? Are there risk factors that might identify potential offenders? How has seminary education changed over this time period? What role did the Church leadership play in addressing the abuse crisis, and when?What role did opportunity and situation play in the abusive behavior? Why was the harm of sexual abuse not understood?

17. Causes and Context: Methodology Collected / analyzed multiple sources of data:Longitudinal analyses of data sets of various types of behavior (for example, crime, divorce, pre-marital sex) (Historical analysis); Analysis of seminary education, history and the development of a human formation curriculum, as well as information from seminary leaders (seminary analysis);Surveys of and interviews with inactive priests with allegations of abuse, and a comparison sample of priests in active parish ministry who had not been accused (identity and behavior survey);

18. Methodology (cont) Interview and primary data from the 1971 Loyola University study of the psychology of American Catholic priests (baseline study of priests at the peak of the abuse crisis); Surveys of survivors, victim assistance coordinators and clinical files about the onset, persistence and desistance of abuse behavior (victim and situational analysis);

19. Methodology (cont) Surveys of bishops, priests and other diocesan leaders about the policies that were put in place after 1985; meetings with victim advocates who played a role in responses to the abuse crisis (leadership analysis); and Analyses of clinical data from the files from three treatment centers, including information about priests who abused minors as well as those being treated for other behavioral problems (individual/psychological analysis).

20. Changes in Abuse Patterns Over TimeIdentified a seminary cohort effect - differences in the patterns of abuse for men ordained each decade: Time to first incident of abuse 1940s – 17 years 1950s – 12 years 1960s – 8 years 1970s – 5 years 1980s – 3 years Type/number of victims (e.g., 1940s/1950s “generalists”, e.g., Father Maciel; 1960s “serial predators”) Pre-ordination sexual experience

21. Seminary Education and Influences Expansion of seminaries post-warDiocesan priests who would later abuse were predominantly trained in major national seminariesAlmost all major national seminaries graduated priests who would later abuse minorsPriests who attended minor (high school) seminaries not at a significantly higher risk of abusingEvaluated the changes in seminary education over this period of time; significant developments in teachings of human formation (see Sr. Katarina Schuth)

22. Individual-Level Factors Are clergy with allegations of sexually abusing minors distinguishable from non-abusers based upon: History of sexual abuse Developmental stressors (severe family disruption, i.e., death of a family member)Psychological and/or mental health problemsIntimacy deficits (difficulty developing healthy emotional relationships with others)Intelligence Sexual identity and / or pre-ordination sexual behavior

23. Clinical DataPriests treated for sexual abuse of a minor: More likely to have a history of sexual abuse (significant in one clinical sample)Exhibited intimacy deficits, often emotional congruence with adolescents, and often other problems (e.g., stress, obesity, alcohol, gambling) No more likely that others to have diagnosable psychological disorders5% clinically diagnosed as pedophiles in two separate clinical samples; abusive priests more likely to be “generalists”

24. Psychological Testing DataMCMI: No significant differences were found on any of the scales, which measure personality disorder traitsWAIS: No Significant differences in WAIS (IQ) scores were found between the three main treatment groupsMMPI: No significant differences on primary scales. The only clinically elevated MMPI subscale that significantly differentiated clergy who abused minors from clergy who had inappropriate relationships with adults was Over-Controlled Hostility

25. Clinical Data: Sexual Identity/ BehaviorMost priests who sexually abused minors also had participated in sexual relationships with adults (80%)Homosexuality and sexual abuse of minorsSexual experience – heterosexual or homosexual – before ordination predicts sexual behavior after ordination, but with adults – not minorsSexual behavior was most often varied (in regard to age and gender)Most incidents of abuse occur before the 1980s – when homosexual behavior in seminary reportedly increasedHomosexual orientation alone is not a significant predictor of sexual abuse of minors“Confused” sexual identity critical in 1940s/1950s cohorts

26. Organizational and Structural Factors: Abuse Organizational factors played a role in abuse opportunities“Cultural” factors High levels of isolation, discretion Power/authority Little direct supervision Low level of peer support Job-related stress Negative feelings, behaviorsLoneliness, lack of intimacy Poor self-care Inappropriate relationships

27. Organizational and Structural Factors: Responses to AbuseHierarchical but decentralized organization; much autonomy by diocese “Police” own bad behavior; little external oversight Similar to other organizations, e.g., police “Rotten apples”; Individual, not organizational problemInternal affairs bureaus Lack of transparency in response to complaintsDeveloped external review boards (accountability to the community)Commissions after highly publicized negative events Highlight institutional nature of bad behavior; tolerated by peers, leaders

28. Leadership Factors Gilbert Gauthe in 1985; led to widespread discussions about sexual abuse of minors by Church leadersBy 1985, sexual abuse cases had been reported in slightly more than half of the diocesesPriest Councils or Priest Senates were active participants in the early discussion in two-thirds of the dioceses in the late 1980sApproximately 25% of the dioceses engaged a clinician to help understand the problemCreation of the “Five Principles”; published in 1993

29. The Five Principles(1) Respond promptly to all allegations of abuse where there is reasonable belief that abuse has occurred; (2) If such an allegation is supported by sufficient evidence, relieve the alleged offender promptly of his ministerial duties and refer him for appropriate medical evaluation and intervention; (3) Comply with the obligations of civil law regarding reporting of the incident and cooperating with the investigation; (4) Reach out to the victims and their families and communicate sincere commitment to their spiritual and emotional well-being; and (5) Within the confines of respect for privacy of the individuals involved, deal as openly as possible with the members of the community.

30. Principles and PracticePositive Reactions to Abuse Discussions: Leadership from Cardinal BernardinWork of the AdHoc CommitteeFive Principles createdHowever: Five Principles not implemented consistently across diocesesLack of consistency in responses to abuse, except for the treatment of the priest (especially in 1990s); little transparency “Insiders” were engaged, but “outsiders” were rebuffed; information was tightly controlled.

31. Failing the Spirit of the Five Principles:1993 - 2002Diocesan leaders in many instances failed to meet with victims directlyReports from family members did not result in any follow-up from the diocesePriests were sent for treatment, then returned to ministry; parishes were not notified of the history of abuseCommunication with civil authorities only in the most severe cases of repeated abuseSome diocesan leaders who gave testimony under oath in civil cases denied they had knowledge of abuse Focus on priests; lack of recognition of responsibility for harm to victims

32. Change in Diocesan PracticesChange has happened, but slowly Lack of understanding of the timing of abuse incidents (in the 1960s & 1970s) and reports of abuse (in the 1990s and 2000s) complicates diocesan explanationsUnderstanding of the harm of abuse came slowlyDelay in appropriate response was pronounced in large and influential diocesesDioceses must continue to provide for safe environment education, be held accountable, and increase transparency in response to abuse

33. Parallels Between the Catholic Church and Other Institutions Not just a Catholic problemAbuse occurs in other religions, sports and social organizations, schoolsReligion: Jewish, Protestant, Southern Baptist, Episcopal, Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormon religionsExtent of the abuse is unknown; anecdotally, reports indicate widespread patterns of abuse

34. Schools and Childcare SettingsShakeshaft report Sexual abuse of children widespread in schools, woefully understudied Teachers most likely to commit abuse were those who spent individual time with the studentsFinkelhor and WilliamsAbuse most likely to occur with low staff presence and in informal care settings

35. Social Organizations Boy Scouts of America, Big Brothers/Big SistersBoy Scouts – released files of approximately 1,800 abusers 1970 – 1991Organizational activities provided opportunities for abuse to occur

36. Sports Organizations UniversityPenn State: Individual (Sandusky) and organizational (administrative) problems National TeamsUSA Swimming, Hockey, Olympic sports (e.g., weightlifting)Unique mentorship, individual attention, fear of reporting

37. US Olympic Committee ResponseCreated SafeSport Guidelines, with minimum standards for athlete protection Required all sporting organizations to implement guidelines by December 2013

38. USOC Minimum Standards Policy for Athlete Protection The athlete safety program shall include, at a minimum, the following components: 1. Prohibited Conduct - A policy which prohibits and defines the six types of misconduct 2. Criminal Background Checks 3. Education and Training 4. Reporting 5. Enforcement

39. Six Types of Misconduct Addressed by SafeSportBullyingHarassmentHazingEmotional Abuse and MisconductPhysical Abuse and MisconductSexual Abuse and Misconduct

40. Conclusions Situational factors provide opportunity for abuse in institutions with mentoring of adolescents by adults Most organizations have implemented safe environment training programs, but youth are still at riskCannot eliminate individual mentorship

41. Conclusions (cont)Lack of timely reporting Repercussions Organizational (e.g., legal, reputation)Individual (e.g., ostracized, leave institution) Shortcomings of background checks, psychological testsConstraints of organizations to respond

42. QuestionsDifference in abuse by type of institutionHow do abusive relationships develop?Do situational factors differ?Role of oversight, organizational and cultural factors?Decrease in sexual abuse since 1990sEffect of safe environment policies on abuse within institutions?

43. Next Steps: John Jay Researchers Coding BSA files for situational factors Goal: Understand the situations in which positive mentoring relationships developed into abusive relationships Identify high-risk situations, “boundary violating” behaviors

44. Thank youKaren TerryJohn Jay College of Criminal Justicekterry@jjay.cuny.edu