Child Sexual Abuse in Protestant Christian Congregations

A Descriptive Analysis of Offense and Offender Characteristics

Bibliographic Data

ID3373966
AuthorsAndrew Denney (0000-0002-3150-9577, University of West Florida, corresponding author), Kent R Kerley (The University of Texas at Arlington), Kent Kerley, Nickolas Gro, Nickolas Gross (The University of Texas at Arlington)
Year2018
Volume9
Issue1
Pages27
Publication date2018-01-18
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueReligions (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
PublisherMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel9010027
OpenAlexW2785167849
LanguageEN
Citations received9
References cited35

Utilizing data from 326 cases of alleged child sexual abuse that occurred at or through activities provided by Protestant Christian congregations, this study examines demographic and contextual characteristics of alleged child sexual abuse that took place within the most prevalent religious environment in the United States. Research questions are addressed in this study. First, what type of child sexual abuse most commonly occurs at or through activities provided by Protestant Christian congregations? Second, where do such offenses physically take place? Third, who are the offenders and what role(s) do they assume in the congregations? We find that the overwhelming majority of offenses were contact offenses that occurred on church premises or at the offender's home, and that most offenders were white male pastors or youth ministers who were approximately 40 years in age. We conclude with policy implications and recommendations for future research

Child abuse · Child sexual abuse · Criminology · Medical emergency · Poison control · Political science · Protestantism · Sexual abuse · Suicide prevention · Child Abuse and Trauma · Homicide, Infanticide, and Child Abuse · Intimate Partner and Family Violence · Law · Medicine · Psychology · Social Psychology