The recent Pennsylvania Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal has rocked the nation, as it uncovered how the alleged corruption and abuse of power impacted numerous young and adult churchgoers.

The Pennsylvania Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal came to the public attention after a grand jury released a report in August 2018, which revealed that there were over 1,000 people allegedly victimized by church officials in the state.

The grand jury report revealed incidents of Catholic Church sexual abuse scandals from the six of the eight dioceses in Pennsylvania, which described alleged incidents in which children had been sexually abused and church officials had gone through great lengths to conceal their actions.

The grand jury had compiled the report consisted of the Allentown, Erie, Greensburg, Harrisburg, Pittsburgh, and Scranton dioceses, with Philadelphia and Altoona-Johnstown previously examined by a different grand jury. According to the grand jury report, approximately 300 priests or church leaders were a part of the Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal.

These events allegedly took place in 54 out of 67 counties in Pennsylvania. The grand jury based the report on witness testimony and internal church documents that were collected from legal subpoenas.

“We subpoenaed, and reviewed, half a million pages of internal diocesan documents. [T]hey contained credible allegations against over three hundred predator priests. Over one thousand child victims were identifiable, from the church’s own records,” the grand jury stated.

Catholic Church Sex Abuse Scandal Victims

The victims ranged in age from young children to teenagers. Church officials allegedly brushed aside complaints and covered up the abuse.

The report from the grand jury indicates that the Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal allegedly went on for decades, and it includes names of alleged sex offenders and the people who concealed them in each of the dioceses.

The grand jury stated that as vile as these acts of sexual abuse are, most of the predators cannot be charged due to the statute of limitations. To counter, the grand jury has recommended that several policies should be implemented to help combat this serious problem, including getting rid of the statute of limitations for people to report any sexual abuse they suffered as children.

Overview of Long Term Effects of Sexual Abuse

The long term effects of sexual abuse are devastating, with victims often feeling shame and guilt over the incident. Often victims of sexual abuse often develop a number of reactions that help them cope with the psychological trauma including, but not limited to:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
• Personality and Behavioral Changes
• Attachment Problems
• Addiction

The Pennsylvania Catholic Church sexual abuse scandal describes incidents from children, as well as adults who reported their testimony to the grand jury. Adult survivors of sexual abuse are likely to develop issues in intimacy and relationships, along with major self esteem and trust issues.

While it is possible to heal from the scars left by sexual abuse, it is important for parents and legal guardians to look for signs that may indicate potential abuse:

• Unusual bleeding or bruising in the genital area
• Bloody, torn or stained underwear
• Walking or sitting difficulty
• Frequent urination or yeast infections
• Pain, itching, or burning in the genital area
• Changes in hygiene habits (either refusing to bathe or bathing excessively)
• Sudden phobia developments
• Signs of PTSD or depression
• Behavioral changes in school
• Overprotective or concerned for siblings
• Avoiding physical contact