Diane Shea

Effects of Clergy Sexual Abuse on Adults Victimized As Children: a Comparison with Adult Males Victimized by a Layperson Diane Shea

Prior to this study, there were no scientific data examining specific psychological effects of sexual abuse by priests on adults who were victimized as children. This study addresses that void. A group of 29 males who were abused by a Catholic priest and a group of 20 males abused by a layperson completed a demographic questionnaire, the Beck Depression Inventory, the Learned Helplessness Scale, the Strength of Religious Faith Scale and the Posttraumatic Check List. Those abused by a priest were older at the time of first abuse and did not report their abuse until a later age, due in part, to the culture of secrecy that kept the clergy sexual abuse scandal hidden. Although it had been hypothesized that those abused by a priest would be more symptomatic, both groups demonstrated that there can be long-term effects of childhood sexual abuse, regardless of perpetrator. Recognizing this, the findings of this study support efforts to promote legislation that abolishes the statute of limitations in all cases of childhood sexual abuse.