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Article

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Accepted version

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2021

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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/227904

Child sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church in Spain: A descriptive study of abuse characteristics, victims' faith, and spirituality

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https://doi.org/10.1037/vio0000390

Abstract

Objective: The goal of this study was to examine a sample of 38 adult victims of child sexual abuse (CSA) by representatives of the Spanish Catholic Church. Method: An ad-hoc battery of questions divided into five sections was created: (a) Participant's general personal information, faith, religion and belief system; (b) sexual victimization by the Church; (c) sexual victimization committed by other persons; (d) other forms of caregiver victimization; (e) perception of the impact of the abuse on faith and spirituality. Results: Most of the victims are pubescent males, who experience contact sexual abuse, including high levels of penetration, by a priest or pastor. Victims tended to disclose their abuse, in adulthood, to someone close to them. Official reports were generally addressed to the Catholic Church rather than to police officers or the legal system. More than half of those who reported abuse stated that it had had a negative impact on their well-being. Victims also reported an acute reduction in their faith in God and the Church and other experiences of sexual and caregiver victimization. Conclusions: The results obtained in this first study to focus on the phenomenon of CSA by the Catholic Church in Spain are relevant enough to continue working on this area and to tailor specific intervention and prevention programs for these victims that address their spiritual damage.

Subject

Catolicisme, Abús sexual envers els infants pel clericat, Víctimes d'abús sexual, Espanya, Espiritualitat

Subject (English)

Catholicism, Child sexual abuse by clergy, Sexual abuse victim, Spain, Spirituality

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Articles publicats en revistes (Psicologia Clínica i Psicobiologia)

Citation

PEREDA BELTRAN, Noemí and SEGURA, Anna. Child sexual abuse within the Roman Catholic Church in Spain: A descriptive study of abuse characteristics, victims' faith, and spirituality. Psychology of Violence. 2021. Vol. 11, num. 5, pags. 488-496. ISSN 2152-0828. [consulted: 11 of June of 2026]. Available at: https://hdl.handle.net/2445/227904

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