(ZENIT News / Melbourne, 15.08.2024).- A recent study of the Institute of Studies of Child Protection of the Australian Catholic University has brough to light staggering figures on child sexual abuse in the country. According to the research, around 87,000 of Australians were victims of sexual abuse during their childhood in religious organizations, with almost three quarters of these cases occurring in Catholic realms. These findings underscore a problem that, although it has shown a significant diminution over the last decades, continues to be a motive of concern and reflection.
The study reveals that the prevalence of sexual abuse in religious contexts has diminished drastically in the last 50 years. In men older than 65, the rate of abuse reached 2.2%, whereas in young people between 16 and 24, this figure has dropped too 0.2%. This reduction is attributed to a series of factors, including less religious observance, growing secularization and the implementation of stricter preventive policies in religious institutions.
One out of every 250 Australians, namely, 0.4% of the population, reported having been abused by a member of the clergy or an adult in a religious organization. The study also points out that men older than 65 were the predominant victims of these abuses during their childhood and that, in the majority of cases, the aggressor was another man. These statistics reflect a pattern that has been consistently identified by previous investigations, including Australia’s Royal Commission on Institutional Answers to Child Sexual Abuse.
Although the Catholic Church is in the epicentre of these scandals, representing 71.9% of reported cases, it has also led the efforts to eradicate and prevent child sexual abuse. The implementation of verifications of antecedents, policies of mandatory reporting and training programs have been crucial to reduce the incidence of these crimes. However, researcher Gabrielle Hunt stresses that there is still work to do to achieve a completely safe environment for children.
This study, although a pioneer in providing national estimates on the prevalence of sexual abuse in religious organizations, admits that its figures are conservative. Not included in the study are abuses perpetrated by adolescents or those that occurred in environments related with religious organizations, such as schools and child care centers, which suggests that the real magnitude of the problem could be greater.
Professor Darryl Higgins, co-author of the report, emphasize the gravity of child sexual abuse in religious organizations, describing it as a profound betrayal and a form of spiritual abuse. Nevertheless, he celebrates the notable diminution in the prevalence of abuse over time, attributing it both to social changes, as well as a renewed commitment by religious organizations to the protection of minors.
Ursula Stephens, Executive Director of Australian Catholic Safeguarding Ltd., points out that this data is a reminder of the necessity to maintain constant vigilance to combat child abuse. Although she acknowledges the efforts and advances made, she also stresses that the fight against abuse must not cease, and that the Catholic Church in Australia continues learn from its past errors to guarantee safe environments for all.
Australia has won recognition in the international arena for its efforts in child protection. Representatives of several Australian institutions, including the Australian Catholic University and the Australian Episcopal Conference, have been praised in international events for their contributions and commitment to the cause. These achievements reflect a significant and positive change in the institutional response to child sexual abuse in the country.
