A National Study of Adult Women Sexually Abused by Clergy: Insights for Social Workers

Abstract

Given the paucity of research on the experiences of women who are sexually abused by clergy as adults and the advent of the #ChurchToo movement in 2017, the results of a mixed-methods national study highlight the experiences of those who survived the abuse and report on what factors are most healing in their recovery. Internet-based surveys with both quantitative and qualitative items were completed by 159 respondents. Less than 10 percent reported receiving help and support from their congregation after they reported the abuse, and about half of the respondents were blamed for the abuse and ignored by people in their congregations. In spite of the poor responses from their churches, these respondents reported positive beliefs regarding their ability to recover and heal. Mental health counseling was listed as a primary mechanism for healing. Multiple regression was used to develop a model of resilience. Faith in God was the most salient predictor. Those who survived sexual abuse need social workers who can navigate the complex set of factors and issues at the intersection of religion/spirituality, mental health treatment, and policy advocacy, including the ability to see what has been helpful about religious experiences and what has not.

Insincerity, Secrecy, Neutralisation, Harm: Reporting Clergy Sexual Misconduct against Adults—A Survivor-Based Analysis

“…This mixed method study of women survivors of what the authors term "clergy perpetrated sexual abuse of adults", also confirms many of the findings within de Weger (2020). While the study underpinning this article is focused on abuse within the Roman Catholic Church, when comparing findings from other denominations such as with the new Pooler and Barros-Lane (2022) study, what becomes clear is that there are underlying commonalities between denominations, commonalities which can also be found between religions, and indeed, between religious and secular institutions. Furthermore, it needs to be noted that in all the cases, the RCC Bishops, Archbishops, safeguarding leaders, and professionals that were involved are still in positions of authority and influence, and that the behaviours of these current RCC leaders and staff regarding those reporting CSMAA are serious and disturbing.…”

“…Furthermore, this study is validated and affirmed when triangulated with others such as Flynn (2003); Kennedy (2009);and Byrne (2010) not to mention the growing number of news stories concerning CSMAA and to how it is officially responded. To this can now be added a new study published during the writing of this present one, (Pooler and Barros-Lane 2022). This mixed method study of women survivors of what the authors term "clergy perpetrated sexual abuse of adults", also confirms many of the findings within de Weger (2020).…”