module d – situational and organizational factors related to sexual abuse

Module D – Situational and Organizational Factors Related to

Sexual Abuse

For Seminary Students and Faculty, Parishes and Dioceses

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Situational and Organizational Factors Related to Sexual Abuse of Minors

by Catholic Priests

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Main Sources of Data

Reports presented to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops by the John Jay College Research Team, The City University of New York*

• The Causes and Context of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests in the United States, 1950-2010, March, 2011

• The Nature and Scope of Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests and Deacons in the United States, 1950-2002, February 2004

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* The two reports are based on data supplied by 97 percent of U.S. archdioceses and dioceses on all clergy accused of sexual abuse of minors

I. Situational Factors:Settings and Circumstances

of Sexual Abuse

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Settings Where Victims First Met Priests Who Abused Them

Location of First Meeting % Male Victims % Female Victims

A. Church/Parish Related 64.8 58.9

B. School/Teacher 15.1 13.6

C. Home of Victim or Relative of Victim 4.9 14.2

D. Other Institutions 7.8 7.3

E. Other 7.1 6.2

Total 99.7 100.2

* % Based on Nature and Scope and victim survey of 7,142 boys and 1,762 girls.

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A. Church/Parish Related


At Mass 33.8 27.1

At an Altar Service/In the Rectory 12.3 10.7

In the Parish 17.5 19.9

Home of Cleric 0.8 0.7

Choir 0.4 0.5

Total 64.8 58.9

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B. Teacher/School Related


Teacher (up to grade 6) 0.7 1.3

Teacher (grades 7-8) 0.9 1.4


Sunday/Parish School 0.8 0.9

Other School 2.4 4.9

Seminary Faculty/Administrator 1.9 0.2

Total 15.1 13.6

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C. Home of Victim or Relative of Victim


Home of Victim/Social Function with Victim’s Family

4.5 12.7

Cleric is Relative 0.4 1.5

Total 4.9 14.2

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D. Other Institutions

Location of First Meeting % Male Victims % Female VictimsBoys Club/Youth Recreation 4.9 5.6

Work in Hospital 0.8 0.7

In Jail/Prison/Youth Offender Residence 1.2 0.1

Orphanage 0.9 0.9

Total 7.8 7.3

Location % Male Victims % Female Victims

Other 7.1 6.2

E. Other

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Physical Locations of Abuse

Location of Abuse % Male Victims % Female Victims


B. Residences 59.0 47.0

C. Other Locations 30.5 25.4

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Note well: Clergy sexual abuse occurs in multiple settings Most frequently it is in church-related locations A wide range of residential contexts are used Other public and private venues also are exploited


Locations of Abuse % Male Victims % Female Victims

Cleric’s Home/Parish Residence 36.3 30.7

In Church 14.2 12.9

In School 8.2 11.4

Cleric’s Office 6.2 7.6

Congregate Residence 0.6 0.1

Total 65.8 62.7

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B. Residences


In Victim’s Home 10.9 10.4

Vacation House 9.9 5.0

In Other Residences (Friends, Family) 1.0 0.8

21.8 16.2

(Following residences also included in A above.)

Cleric’s Home/Parish Residence 36.6 30.7

Congregate Residence 0.6 0.1

Total 59.0 47.0

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C. Other Locations


In a Car 8.5 8.4

In a Hotel 7.0 3.6

On Outings – Camp, Park, Pool 7.8 5.7

Retreat House 1.2 1.5

In the Hospital 0.7 0.7

Other 5.3 5.5

Total 30.5 25.4

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Circumstances/Timing of Abuse

Circumstances/Timing % Male Victims % Female Victims


B. Social Event/Other Recreation 42.2 40.8

C. Other 14.4 16.2

Total 83.7 84.8

* Categories are not mutually exclusive, as victims may have experienced abuse in more than one location.

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Visiting/Working at Cleric’s Home/Rectory 13.2 13.1

Church Service (Before, During, After) 8.0 3.4

School Hours 4.2 8.2

During Reconciliation 1.3 2.8

Church Service, Training 0.4 0.3

Total 27.1 27.8

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B. Social Event/Other Recreation


During Social Event 17.8 21.9

During Travel 14.0 7.2

Cleric Visited Home of Victim 2.9 7.4

During Sporting Event 4.5 2.5

Outings 3.0 1.8

42.2 40.8

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C. Other


During Counseling 6.3 7.1

Hospital Visit 0.1 0.2

During a Retreat 0.8 1.4

Other 7.2 7.5

14.4 16.2

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II. Organizational FactorsRelated to Abuse

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Priest’s Primary Duty or Roleat Time of Abuse

Duty or Role % Male Victims % Female Victims

A. Pastoral/Parish Related 77.2 80.2

B. Other Clerical Role 6.7 5.6

C. School/Teaching Role 8.7 5.6

D. Other 7.4 8.6

Total 100.0 100.0

* Based on Nature and Scope victim surveys of 7,864 boys and 1,863 girls.

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A. Pastoral/Parish Role


Associate Pastor 42.2 42.1

Pastor 25.0 26.0

Resident Priest 8.8 10.9

Saying Mass 1.2 1.2

Total 77.2 80.2

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B. Other Clerical Role


Bishop, Vicar, Chancellor, Cardinal 0.4 0.2

Seminarian/Seminary Administration/Faculty 1.9 1.4

School/Institutional Administrator 1.0 1.7

Chaplain 2.8 2.1

Worked in Hospital 0.6 0.2

Total 6.7 5.6

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C. School/Teaching Role


Teacher (up to grade 6) 0.2 0.1



Guidance Counselor 0.9 0.6

Catechism Teacher 0.1 0.3

Total 8.7 5.6

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D. Other


Boys Club/Recreation 1.6 1.2

Cleric is Relative 0.3 1.0

Other 5.5 6.4

Total 7.4 8.6

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Additional Observations Related to Situational and Organizational Circumstances, 1

• a person who is motivated to commit the act of abuse• a potential victim• lack of a “capable guardian”

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To prevent or identify abuse, education of potential victims, potential abusers, and potential

“guardians” is essential since abuse can occur when these three factors exist:

A capable guardian is one who has oversight and awareness of a child’s wellbeing, most often parents

Additional Observations Related to Situational and Organizational Circumstances, 2

• Do not meet alone with a child in a closed room without windows• Have two adults present when meeting a child whenever possible • Have cameras installed in rooms where meetings take place

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Keep in mind:• An abuser is likely to be considered “a very good person”• Many priests who were accused of sexual abuse were in

other ways excellent in carrying out their ministry

Precautions to lessen conditions for sexual abuse to occur during meetings with children:

Summary of Situational and Organizational Factors Related to Sexual Abuse of Minors

• Situational Factors: Settings and Circumstances of Sexual Abuse- Settings Where Victims First Met Priests Who

Abused Them- Physical Locations of Abuse- Circumstances and Timing of Abuse

• Organizational Factors Related to Abuse - Priests’ Primary Duty or Role at Time of Abuse• Additional Observations Related to Situational and

Organizational CircumstancesD-26

Discussion Questions• Considering the settings and locations where abuse took

place, what precautions should priests and other church leaders take about where they meet young people?

• Taking into account the circumstances and timing that were most common when abuse was perpetrated, what instructions should be given to those who are or soon will be serving in ministry?

• What other safeguards should be considered in discussions relative to the places and situations where abuse has occurred ?

Link to USCCB – http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/charter.cfm

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http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/charter.cfm

http://www.usccb.org/issues-and-action/child-and-youth-protection/charter.cfm

Prepared by:Sister Katarina Schuth, O.S.F., St. Paul Seminary School of Divinity, University of St. Thomas

Technical Associate: Catherine Slight

Consultants: Dr. Karen Terry and Margaret Smith, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, authors of major studies on sexual abuse for the USCCB; Dr. Mary Gautier, Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate

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module d – situational and organizational factors related to sexual abuse

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