Statement of Dr. Kathleen McChesney
Former Executive Director,
Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection
The crisis of sexual abuse of minors within the Catholic Church is not over.
We know this crisis is not over because: Many men and women who have been abused and their family members continue to suffer from psychological, spiritual and emotional wounds.
We know this crisis is not over because: Despite the efforts of many, some victims have been frustrated, hurt, and sometimes humiliated, by the response of church.
We know this crisis is not over because: 3227 victims received direct support from the church in 2004 for therapy, social services and pastoral care.
We know this crisis is not over because: 1,083 men and women courageously came forward in 2004 to report prior abuse.
We know that this crisis is not over because: Over 300 reports received in 2004 identified alleged abusers not previously known.
We know that this crisis is not over because: The costs relating to the sex abuse allegations incurred in 2004 exceed $157,000,000.
What is over is the denial that this problem exists, and what is over is the reluctance of the church to deal openly with the public about the nature and extent of the problem.
During the past two years I have had the opportunity to work with many persons who have been abused, their friends and family members, dedicated diocesan and eparchial assistance ministers, the national review board, auditors from the Gavin group and bishops ad hoc committee on sexual abuse. While each person and each group may favor a different approach to dealing with this crisis, all agree that the church's first responsibility is to those who have been abused, and the second is to the vulnerable who must be protected.
I am pleased to present to you the second annual report on the implementation of the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People. This report reflects the progress, as well as some of the remaining tasks, of the Catholic bishops of the United States in addressing this problem.
The report consists of three segments: the results of the annual survey of allegations and costs; the results of the compliance audits, and the recommendations of the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection and the national review board. Separate summary reports of each audited diocese and eparchy are posted on the USCCB website.
In November, 2004 the bishops agreed to provide data to this office on an annual basis to be included in this, and future, annual reports. The data pertain to the acts of abuse that were reported to dioceses and eparchies in 2004 regardless of when they occurred. 93% of the dioceses and eparchies submitted their information by January 17th, and 71% of the men's clerical and mixed religious institutes provided similar data.
All of the figures I will present to you reflect the total numbers submitted from both groups. The data was collected by the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate (CARA). CARA will continue to collect the data in future years.
In 2004, at least 1,092 allegations of sexual abuse were made against at least 756 catholic priests and deacons in the United States. Most of the alleged incidents occurred between 1965 and 1974. Half of the alleged offenders had been previously accused. 550 offenders, (72%) were deceased, laicized, or previously removed from ministry before 2004. 148 were permanently removed from ministry in 2004 for acts that were reported in 2004 or earlier. 305 were temporarily removed from ministry in 2004 for allegations that were reported in 2004 or before. These numbers overlap.
78% percent of the victims were male and the majority were between the ages of 10 and 14 when the abuse began. These data are very similar to the data obtained in the study of the "nature and scope of the problem of sexual abuse of minors" conducted by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice earlier this year.
Of these allegations, 22 were made by boys and girls under the age of 18. Each of those cases has been reported to appropriate law enforcement officials.
Costs for settlements, victim and offender therapy, and attorney's fees amounted to $157,802,811. You may recall that between 1950 and 2002, expenses to the church in total amounted to approximately $572,507,094. Costs for child protection efforts in 2004 came to $20,203,409.
In addition to agreeing to provide this important data to the public every year, many bishops, their employees and volunteers have actually exceeded the promises made in the Charter. An example of this is the extraordinary and unprecedented study of the "nature and scope" of the problem of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church that provided extensive information about abuse of minors during the past 52 years. The cooperation of 97% of the dioceses and eparchies was unique in social science research and a significant reflection of their desire to learn about this problem.
The results of that study have been helpful in establishing hypotheses for a second study mandated by the charter - the study on the many causes of the crisis. When completed, the church will have additional knowledge with which to make changes, enhance current prevention programs and to contribute more fully to the safety of the young.
The literature review of this study also tells us that sexual abuse of minors is not a problem unique to one institution or one culture. I hope that the Church's actions regarding this devastating crime encourages others to educate themselves about the problem and to establish more methods to prevent it.
Behavioral problems and criminal activity can often be traced to the way in which a child was treated by the adults in their lives. It is important that more thought and concern be given to how we care for young people. It has been said that one measure of a society is the way in which it treats its children. That is also true for this church.
At the conclusion of this annual report the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection and the national review board have made 11 recommendations for improvements to the response of the church to this crisis. They include a recommendation that all dioceses and eparchies that are not already doing so, provide an annual report to the laity regarding allegations received each year; and a recommendation that the Secretariat of Child and Youth Protection study all new allegations made by minors to examine the effectiveness of the prevention programs that have been put in place.
While a measurable amount of progress has been made, much more is required, but nothing that is beyond our ability.
For those men and women who have not come forward, I urge to you consider doing so, particularly if your offender might still be in ministry. Please help us to help you and to protect others as well. Our goal is to heal where that is possible and to protect because we must. Continued vigilance and dedication to this effort is not a choice, it is a necessity.
Mr. William Gavin and the Gavin group of Boston were asked to conduct audits of each diocese and eparchy. These audits tell us that most bishops are implementing all of the provisions of the charter. Compliance with the charter is crucial to providing a pastoral response to persons who report abuse and for abuse prevention. However, compliance does not guarantee that there will be no instances of abuse in the future or that every victim or accused offender is treated justly.