Addressing The Impact Of Clergy Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse occurs where an individual engages in sexual activity with someone else without their consent. This often happens when an adult engages in any sort of sexual activity with a minor, but an adult can be sexually abused by another adult in circumstances where the abuser is in a position of power of authority over the survivor.

Clergy sexual abuse occurs where a leader of a religious or spiritual uses their position of power and trust to engage in sexual activity or misconduct with an individual. This can involve lay leaders, priests, pastors, deacons, camp staff, volunteer church leaders, church leadership, temple leaders, or other representatives of a faith community.