Neutralisation and sexual abuse: a study of monks from one Benedictine Abbey

2018

Sex Abuse

Self Cite

Research has established that sexually abusive priests often use grooming strategies on victims. Recently, researchers have proposed a behavioral taxonomy used specifically by clergy who sexually abuse children. Because this nascent taxonomy has only been studied once using a limited sample of sexually abusive priests, we seek to replicate and expand on its findings using a sample of abusive clergy from a separate institution. Specifically, we analyzed files of 18 monks in Minnesota who were credibly accused of sexual abuse. Using a deductive approach, we searched through these files in an effort to find all instances of eight clergy sexual grooming behaviors that were identified in previous research by Spraitz, Bowen, and Strange. Our findings suggest there is evidence to support the existence of this taxonomy of priest sexual grooming, although we argue that certain aspects of the centerpiece technique of their classification scheme are faulty and must be studied more extensively.

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Examination of a Nascent Taxonomy of Priest Sexual Grooming

2018

Sex Abuse

Self Cite

“…Similar to the data collection methods used by and Spraitz, Bowen and Bowers (2016) in their analyses of priests and administrators from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, as well as Spraitz, Bowen, and Arthurs (2017) in their examination of Saint John's Abbey, we performed a retrospective content analysis of unsealed priest files from the Roman Catholic Diocese of Joliet in Illinois, US. Files for 16 Joliet-area priests with credible allegations of sexual abuse against them were made publicly available in early 2014.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Proposing a Behavioral Taxonomy of Priest Sexual Grooming

Int J for Crime, Justice & Social Democracy

Strange

2018

Sexual grooming is generally thought of as the way that would-be abusers build trust and camaraderie with their victims in order to lower the victims' inhibitions and eventually take advantage of the situation. Minimal levels of empiricism have focused on the sexual grooming patterns of abusive Catholic priests in the United States. In order to help close this gap, we conducted a retrospective content analysis of publicly available documents of credibly accused priests from one diocese in Illinois. Findings suggest that accused priests from this diocese used any of eight grooming techniques in order to abuse their victims; one of these tactics is specific to priest offenders. Using that knowledge, we propose and discuss a behavioral taxonomy of priest sexual grooming as well as the direction that future research should take in assessing this potential taxonomy. KeywordsSexual abuse; priests; Catholic Church; grooming; taxonomy; content analysis. Please cite this article as:

“…Spraitz et al (2018) and Spraitz and Bowen (2019) used this methodology in their studies of clergy sexual grooming. In addition, , Spraitz et al ( , 2017, used similar methods while studying techniques of neutralization utilized by sexually abusive priests. For the purposes of this research, we treated religious duress and reverential fear as a single concept.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The feelings of powerlessness, fear, and shame coupled with the traumatic bond between the victim and the abuser can discourage reporting. In addition, victims feel scrutiny and condemnation from the Catholic Church and its members Spraitz et al, , 2017, thus decreasing the likelihood of disclosure (Benkert & Doyle, 2009). Strong empirical evidence exists in support of these contentions, especially related to the stages of grooming.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Religious Duress and Reverential Fear in Clergy Sexual Abuse Cases: Examination of Victims’ Reports and Recommendations for Change

Criminal Justice Policy Review

2020

Self Cite

According to prior research, approximately 14% of sexual victimizations by priests are reported to civil authorities. Victim grooming by the abuser is a main reason the number of reported incidents is low. The concept of reverential fear and religious duress is related to grooming, but very little empirical research focuses on the concept. Reverential fear and religious duress is a type of fear that limits the ability of clergy sexual abuse victims to disengage from their abuser; it intensifies when one has reverence and respect for the clergyman who abused them. In this article, available data from personnel files from several Catholic institutions are analyzed to gain a deeper understanding of reverential fear and religious duress. Findings suggest victims of clergy sexual abuse experience reverential fear and religious duress. The discussion focuses on why victims remain silent and provides recommendations for new policy and for improving existing policy.