Unseen Scars: Child Abuse in the Catholic Church
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month. Coincidentally 4 days ago, on April 5, 2023, Attorney General Anthony G. Brown of Maryland released a report titled “Child Sexual Abuse in the Archdiocese of Baltimore” after four years of intense research. The horrors of child abuse have cast a long, dark shadow on our collective consciousness. The Catholic Church has been at the center of this tragedy, with its decades-long history of abuse and systemic cover-ups. This is my attempt to provide a glimpse of the systematic horror perpetrated by not only the hundreds and thousands of Catholic church-employed pedophiles but the abject willingness to protect those pedophiles at the expense of the most vulnerable population - the Church’s children. As a mental health advocate, I have met abuse victims and seen firsthand the devastating psychological effects of sexual abuse and trauma and the scars that remain for generations. I will also explore ways we, as responsible adults, can support and protect our children and provide resources for victims seeking help.
The Unabated Abuse of Children by the Catholic Church Across Decades
The staggering pervasiveness of the abuse itself underscores the culpability of the Church hierarchy. The sheer number of abusers and victims, the depravity of the abusers' conduct, and the frequency with which known abusers were given the opportunity to continue preying upon children are astonishing. Over 600 children are known to have been abused by the 156 people included in this Report, but the number is likely far higher. — Attorney General Anthony G. Brown
Whereas this latest discovery of abuse is only a few days old, a brutal truth has emerged over the years, revealing the extent to which the Catholic Church has been complicit in the abuse of children over decades and worldwide. These heinous acts have been perpetrated by priests and other Church-associated persons, who have used their positions of trust and authority to prey upon vulnerable children. Upon reading the report, my heart ached for the victims who have suffered unimaginable pain and the families shattered by this despicable abuse of power. The scale of the abuse is enormous, with over half a million documented cases of child abuse worldwide since 1950. This seemingly large number of documented victims is, unfortunately, bound to be a drop in the bucket if one considers the true magnitude and vastness of the scope of this problem. Consider that there are over 1.2 billion Catholic Church followers worldwide and the many thousands of pedophiles employed and protected by the Church that abuse children even today.
Catholic Indian-American and South-Asian families were not exempt from this abuse in India or any other country.
As we reckon with the overwhelming number of reported and unreported cases of child abuse within the Catholic Church, it is vital to acknowledge the immense suffering and long-lasting impact of this abuse. While some zealots may try to downplay the significance of these numbers, we cannot allow ourselves to become numb to the pain of the victims and their families. The heart-wrenching stories of the survivors must be heard and honored as a testament to their strength and resilience.
The Generational Damage Caused by the Church's Abuse
The trauma inflicted by the Catholic Church has left a lasting legacy of pain and suffering. The psychological effects of sexual abuse and trauma experienced by minors can be severe and long-lasting. Some common symptoms include:
Depression: The deep emotional scars of abuse can lead to pervasive sadness and hopelessness. Victims often struggle to cope with the trauma they have experienced, leading to a chronic state of depression.
Anxiety: Sexual abuse can create constant fear and anxiety in victims. They may experience panic attacks, difficulty sleeping, and an inability to trust others, making it difficult to form healthy relationships.
Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD): The trauma of sexual abuse can lead to PTSD, characterized by flashbacks, nightmares, and intrusive thoughts. Victims may feel like they are reliving the abuse, leading to overwhelming feelings of terror and helplessness.
Dissociation: In an attempt to cope with the trauma, victims may dissociate or disconnect from reality, leading to a sense of detachment from themselves and the world around them.
Substance Abuse: To numb the pain of their abuse, some victims may turn to alcohol or drugs, leading to a destructive cycle of addiction and mental health issues.
Self-Harm and Suicidal Ideation: The immense emotional pain can lead some victims to self-harm or experience thoughts of suicide as they struggle to find a way to cope with their suffering.
This short and admittedly limited list of potential symptoms only begins to highlight the profound damage inflicted by the Church's abuse. It underscores the urgent and growing need for support and resources for survivors and their families.
The child abuse crisis within the Catholic Church resembles the epidemic of school shootings that continue to devastate our society. Both tragedies stem from a deeply rooted systemic failure to protect our children, leaving countless lives shattered. In both cases, we must confront our collective desensitization to the violence inflicted upon our youth and recognize our responsibility to act in their defense.
As school shootings and child abuse cases continue to rise, we must not allow ourselves to become numb to the suffering and loss experienced by our children. Instead, we must rally to support the victims and take a stand against these atrocities.
Empowering Minors to Report Abuse and Our Role as Adults
In the face of the continuing onslaught of abuse perpetrated by the Catholic Church, it is essential to provide minors with the tools and support they need to report instances of sexual abuse. The following methods can be employed to encourage open communication and protect children from further harm:
Create a safe space for open dialogue: Encourage honest conversations about body safety, boundaries, and consent to help children understand their rights and feel empowered to report inappropriate behavior.
Teach children how to identify trusted adults: Help children identify adults they can trust and confide in, both within and outside their immediate families.
Foster an environment of support: Ensure children feel comfortable and supported when discussing their experiences and concerns, and remind them that they will never be blamed for the actions of their abuser.
As adults, we must listen to and validate the experiences of abuse victims, advocate for their needs, and work together to dismantle the systems that have allowed such abuse to persist.
Resources for Victims and Their Families
In closing, I want to share a list of organizations that offer support and resources for victims of sexual abuse and their families:
RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): National Sexual Assault Hotline: 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) | Website: www.rainn.org
Helping Survivors: Helping Survivors is an organization on a mission to help heal, educate, and empower people who have been impacted by sexual assault and abuse. Website: https://helpingsurvivors.org
Childhelp: National Child Abuse Hotline: 1-800-4-A-CHILD (1-800-422-4453) | Website: www.childhelp.org
The National Center for Victims of Crime: 1-855-4-VICTIM (1-855-484-2846) | Website: www.victimsofcrime.org
Darkness to Light: 1-866-FOR-LIGHT (1-866-367-5444) | Website: www.d2l.org
Our responsibility to protect and support the victims of child abuse within the Catholic Church and in all areas of society is a solemn and urgent task. It is time to face this crisis's depth, stand together in our anger, sadness, and disgust, and take collective action to ensure that future generations are spared this unspeakable suffering.
It is clear that when shepherds feign sleep, the flock must awake; when shepherds silent keep, the sheep must speak. It is time to practice what the brotherhood has eloquently preached but abysmally failed to practice: Visit the survivors. Support them. Speak up now. — Edwin And Anita Cheria
