NCJ Number
222541
Journal
Criminal Behaviour and Mental Health Volume: 35 Issue: 5 Dated: May 2008 Pages: 600-614
Date Published
May 2008
Length
15 pages
Annotation
This study assessed the strength of the following factors association with sex-offender risk assessment among Catholic clerics alleged to have committed child sexual abuse: repeat offending, victim gender, and victim-offender relationship
Abstract
The study found that having victims much younger or older than the typical sexual abuse victim of Catholic clerics, younger cleric age at onset of abuse, having all male victims, the use of threats, substance abuse, and the priest having been himself sexually abused were all related to having abused more than one victim. Having a history of behavior problems provided additional predictive assistance in risk assessments for reoffending. Priests with a history of sexual victimization were more likely to have all male victims, and priests who were younger at the first allegation of sexual abuse, had older victims on average, and had a history of substance abuse were more strongly linked with having all male victims. Having a history of behavior problems was more indicative of having at least one female victim. Priests who had close relationships with victims were more likely to be younger at first allegation of abuse, have young victims on average, have a least one female victim, have a history of victimization themselves, used spiritual manipulation with their victims, and had fewer documented victims. The study obtained data from records on 4,392 Catholic priests with documented evidence of sexual abuse against children. Data obtained from diocese surveys were coded for factors shown in the literature to be related to child sexual abuse. 3 tables and 38 references