Child Sexual Abuse in Protestant Christian Congregations

A Descriptive Analysis of Offense and Offender Characteristics

Dados Bibliográficos

ID3373966
AutoresAndrew Denney (0000-0002-3150-9577, University of West Florida, autor correspondente), Kent R Kerley (The University of Texas at Arlington), Kent Kerley, Nickolas Gro, Nickolas Gross (The University of Texas at Arlington)
Ano2018
Volume9
Fascículo1
Páginas27
Data de publicação2018-01-18
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoReligions (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2077-1444 • E-ISSN: 2077-1444
EditoraMDPI AG (PUBLISHER • IT)
DOI10.3390/rel9010027
OpenAlexW2785167849
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas9
Referências citadas35

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