Catholic Clergy Abuse: - PowerPoint Presentation

Slide1

Catholic Clergy Abuse:

Parallels and Perspectives

Karen J. Terry

John Jay College of Criminal Justice

Presented at

: University of Michigan School of Social Work,

Safety of Minors on College and University CampusesSlide2

Abuse within Institutions

Abuse 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

2Slide3

Abuse within the Catholic Church

Annual meeting, June 2002

The 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 happenedSlide4

Nature and Scope Study

Examine 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 ChurchSlide5

Nature and Scope: Methodology

Surveyed 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 priest

Response rate: 97%Slide6

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. Slide7

Distribution of Abuse Incidents

1950-2002 Slide8

Distribution of Abuse Incidents

(Count of abuse incidents, JJC & CARA,1950-2002, 2004-2008)Slide9

Nature and Scope:

Reports of Abuse, by Year ReportedSlide10

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 Slide11

Duration of Abusive Behavior

(where abuse is more than

1 year)

# Victims

Mean Length of Abuse (in years)

Range of Duration in years

1

1.58

1-21

2-3

7.20

1-40

4-9

11.90

1-41

10-19

18.10

5-41

20+

22.03

1-35

Overall

4.99

0-41Slide12

Nature and Scope:

Offender

TypesSlide13

Nature and Scope:

Victim

Age and GenderSlide14

JJC & CARA Data:

Victim

AgeSlide15

JJC & CARA Data:

GenderSlide16

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?Slide17

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); Slide18

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); Slide19

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).Slide20

Changes in Abuse Patterns Over Time

Identified 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 Slide21

Seminary Education and Influences

Expansion of seminaries post-war

Diocesan 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

)Slide22

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 behaviorSlide23

Clinical Data

Priests 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

”

Slide24

Psychological Testing Data

MCMI

: 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 Slide25

Clinical Data:

Sexual Identity/ Behavior

Most 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 minors

Sexual 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 increased

Homosexual

orientation alone is not a significant predictor of sexual abuse of minors

“

Confused

”

sexual identity critical in 1940s/1950s cohortsSlide26

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, behaviors

Loneliness, lack of intimacy

Poor self-care

Inappropriate relationships Slide27

Organizational and Structural Factors: Responses to Abuse

Hierarchical 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 problem

Internal affairs bureaus

Lack of transparency in response to complaints

Developed external review boards (accountability to the community)

Commissions after highly publicized negative events

Highlight institutional nature of bad behavior; tolerated by peers, leadersSlide28

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 1993Slide29

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. Slide30

Principles and Practice

Positive Reactions to Abuse Discussions:

Leadership from Cardinal BernardinWork of the AdHoc CommitteeFive Principles createdHowever:

Five Principles not implemented consistently across dioceses

Lack 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.Slide31

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 abuse

Communication with civil authorities only in the most severe cases of repeated abuse

Some 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 victimsSlide32

Change in Diocesan Practices

Change 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 abuseSlide33

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 Slide34

Schools and Childcare Settings

Shakeshaft

report Sexual abuse of children widespread in schools, woefully understudied Teachers most likely to commit abuse were those who spent individual time with the students

Finkelhor

and

Williams

Abuse

most likely to occur with low

staff

presence

and in informal care settings Slide35

Social Organizations

Boy Scouts of America, Big Brothers/Big Sisters

Boy Scouts – released files of approximately 1,800 abusers 1970 – 1991Organizational activities provided opportunities for abuse to occur Slide36

Sports Organizations

University

Penn State: Individual (Sandusky) and organizational (administrative) problems National TeamsUSA Swimming, Hockey, Olympic sports (e.g., weightlifting)Unique mentorship, individual attention, fear of reportingSlide37

US Olympic Committee Response

Created

SafeSport Guidelines, with minimum standards for athlete protection Required all sporting organizations to implement guidelines by December 2013Slide38

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 Slide39

Six

Types of Misconduct

Addressed by SafeSportBullyingHarassmentHazingEmotional Abuse and MisconductPhysical Abuse and MisconductSexual Abuse and MisconductSlide40

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 Slide41

Conclusions (

cont

)Lack of timely reporting Repercussions

Organizational (e.g., legal, reputation)

Individual (e.g., ostracized, leave institution)

Shortcomings of background checks, psychological tests

Constraints of organizations to respond Slide42

Questions

Difference 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 1990s

Effect of safe environment policies on abuse within institutions? Slide43

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” behaviorsSlide44

Thank you

Karen Terry

John Jay College of Criminal Justicekterry@jjay.cuny.edu