Document Type
Article
Publication Date
5-2004
Publisher
Springer
Abstract
Recent events regarding child sexual abuse committed by Roman Catholic priests in the Archdiocese of Boston and elsewhere have yet again resulted in a tremendous amount of media attention and frenzy regarding this topic. During 2002 alone, approximately 300 American Catholic priests, including several bishops, were accused of child sexual abuse. Many were forced to resign their positions while others were prosecuted and went to prison. Curiously, there still exist many myths and misperceptions about priests who sexually abuse children and their victims. Since psychologists and other mental health professionals are likely to interact with many who have been impacted by these recent events, it is important for them to have some basic understanding of the various myths and misperceptions about sexual abuse committed by Roman Catholic priests.
Recommended Citation
Plante, T. G., & Daniels, C. (2004). The sexual abuse crisis in the Roman Catholic Church: What psychologists and counselors should know. Pastoral Psychology, 52, 381-393.
Included in
Catholic Studies Commons, Christianity Commons, Clinical Psychology Commons, Counseling Psychology Commons, Ethics in Religion Commons, Health Psychology Commons, Practical Theology Commons, Psychiatry and Psychology Commons, Social Justice Commons
Comments
The final publication is available at Springer via http://doi.org/10.1023/B:PASP.0000020686.94708.02