Portugal is starting the atoning process for clergy sex abuse. Here’s what other countries have done
Associated PressJul 27, 2023
According to a 700-page report by an independent commission released last week, more than 200K children have suffered sexual abuse in Spain, allegedly by the Roman Catholic clergy, since 1940.
A survey of about 8K members of the public has found that nearly 0.6% of Spain's 39M adult population had been sexually abused as children by clergy members. The number rises to 1.13% or 400K children when abuse by lay members is included.
The Catholic Church is one of the few multinational organizations that treats child sexual abuse with the required gravity and that has undertaken a global mission to rectify the harms of the past. From helping victims seek compensation from their abusers to drafting comprehensive zero-tolerance policies for abuse, the Church has put atonement and prevention at the forefront of its mission around the world.
The never-ending torrent of abuse allegations against the Catholic clergy has refused to let up, highlighting just how deep and systemic the issue of abuse in the Church really is. Despite Church denials and resistance to external oversight, brave victims continue to come forward. Many of the victims surveyed have felt that the Church hasn't taken their claims seriously, which is beginning to seem like the case time and time again.