Recent research by Australian Catholic University (ACU) reveals alarming data on child sexual abuse in religious settings. The study, led by ACU’s Institute of Child Protection Studies (ICPS), indicates that about 0.4% of Australians, or roughly 87,000 individuals, experienced sexual abuse during childhood by religious leaders or adults. This figure represents one in 250 Australians.
Catholic Organizations Predominate
The study shows that nearly three-quarters of reported cases occurred within Catholic-run organizations. Specifically, 71.9% of the abuse incidents involved Catholic organizations, followed by 21.8% in other Christian denominations such as Anglican, Jehovah’s Witness, and Orthodox. Non-Christian religious organizations accounted for 5.1% of the cases.
Demographic Insights
The analysis, published in “Child Abuse & Neglect,” used data from the Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS). The survey included 8,503 Australians aged 16 and above, who shared their childhood maltreatment experiences. Findings reveal that boys experienced more sexual abuse (0.8%) compared to girls (0.1%) by religious perpetrators. The perpetrators were predominantly men, and the victims were typically between the ages of 7 and 11 when the abuse first occurred.
Declining Prevalence Over Time
Encouragingly, the prevalence of child sexual abuse by religious leaders or other adults has declined over time. For men aged 65 and older, the prevalence was 2.2%, whereas for men aged 16-24, it was 0.2%. This decline is attributed to government inquiries, increased awareness, better monitoring, and the implementation of child-safe regulations.
Continued Vigilance Needed
The lead researcher emphasized the severity of child sexual abuse by religious perpetrators. “Child sexual abuse by religious perpetrators is particularly egregious. It has affected far too many Australians, and we must support those who have experienced it. It is heartening that the prevalence has declined over time. Government inquiries, increased awareness and monitoring, and child-safe regulations have influenced this decline—but the work is far from over,” he said.
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Study reveals prevalence of child sexual abuse in religious settings
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