Sexual Abuse by Clergymen: What’s Fair Punishment?

             In recent years, many people have come forward with stories of being sexually abused by clergymen.  While sexual abuse is devastating for all victims, it’s possibly even more difficult for those who are victimized by religious figures whom society deems so holy and pure.

 Many survivors of clergy abuse are never able to go to church or synagogue again.  They have lost their belief in a higher power.  Or in the case of Catholics, what if the priest goes to confession, gets last rights, and is admitted to heaven?  What place is safe for an altar boy who has been abused by a pedophile priest?

Imagine trusting someone your entire life, watching everyone around you praise them and live by their words, and then having your basic human rights violated by that person.  You might wonder if it’s acceptable, since this religious figure can do no wrong.  Many are terrified to come forward and share their story, because all of the people they’ve known their whole life revere the abuser and would call the victim a liar.  I’ve seen it happen, and I treat victims of clergy abuse all the time with a research-tested trauma therapy known as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization Reprocessing).

            Since we’ve debated about castration lately, how appropriate would this form of punishment be for clergymen who are found to be sex offenders?  Should their crimes be written off, or should the consequences be more lenient, because they are considered men of G-d? 

            I would say the opposite.  To be in this renowned position of power and to commit such a horrendous crime – if anything, I think clergymen deserve greater punishment.  Their career is what gives them this authority, and affords them the trust and respect of countless congregants.  For taking advantage of this power, I feel that the loss of their career as well as the loss of their sex drive is appropriate, whether its through physical or chemical castration.

            Do you agree? Or do you believe that clergymen should be given more lenient punishment for these crimes?

(For further information on recovering from all forms of abuse, please visit my website.)