Irrespective of sex, age, religion, race and financial status, sexual abuse of youth in church has been constantly on the rise. It is an increasing problem that causes mental, physical and emotional damage among the youth and children as well. There have been a number of cases in which children and youth, who work as altar boys, have been abused sexually by the priest and clergies.

Rape, sexual harassment, sexual assault, molestation, incest etc. all this has been taking place behind the closed door of the church. The perpetrator is usually a trusted family friend, a parent or relative, a conscientious parish volunteer etc. It is usually termed as ‘incest’ when the victims are children but it is referred to as ‘violence’ when women are the victims. Even men are also victimized in some cases such as, in when the offence takes place within the church.

Even if the abuses are not physically violent, it is referred to as ‘violent’, as it hurts the spirit and moral of the person. It is unethical, immoral, and illegal and is a criminal offence. And thus, it is wrong on the part of the authorities to try to cover up and dismiss it for the sake of prestige.

The victims are usually women and children who are needy, overly trusting and unquestioningly obedient to authority, for the perpetrators are usually loving fathers, husbands, and pillars of church, clergymen and monks even. Once an abuse has occurred, it is very likely to occur again, so it will not do any good in trying to hide the offence.

In such a case the suspect usually try to minimize their crime and blame the victim instead. Even if they admit it, they will behave as if they had no such intentions and will try to present a clear picture. But in actual, these offenders need professional help. If the offence was committed within the church, then they would use religion to shake off their guilt which takes the form of persuading the God.

In case of children, abusive signs may not be limited only to physical, but also unfounded fear of persons or places, withdrawn behavior, wild behavior, acting out, emotional problems such as bed wetting etc. In some states, failure to report, suspected child abuse by the clergies has been termed as a lesser crime by the law.

Thus, it is high time now that the church must come forward and bring out the problem from the closet and face it and move towards rebuilding the shattered image of the God’s family. Be honest about an offence that takes place in your parish, for hiding it would mean, you are as much a part of the crime, since a parish is a family and all the members of the family suffer altogether.