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The Impact of Priest Sexual Abuse: Female Survivors’ Narratives

University of Northern Iowa, 36 Sabin Hall, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0405 katherine.vanwormer{at}uni.edu

Lois Berns, MA

Emma Norton Residence, 670 North Robert Street, St. Paul, MN 55101-2523lois{at}emmanorton.org

This article explores the effect of priests’sexual abuse on victimized girls and young women. The data were obtained from in-depth interviews with women who were seeking help years after the violation. The results revealed the following themes: the loss of innocence, a period of self-blame, the loss of religious faith, immense pressure to maintain silence, recognition of the imbalance of power, and healing through out-side help. The contribution of the principles of restorative justice to victims’healing is described.

Key Words: priest abuse • restorative justice • sanctuary molestation • sexual abuse • spirituality

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Affilia, Vol. 19, No. 1, 53-67 (2004)
DOI: 10.1177/0886109903260667


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This Article Abstract Free Full Text (Free PDF) Free Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in Web of Science Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to Saved Citations Download to citation manager Request Permissions Request Reprints Add to My Marked Citations Citing Articles Citing Articles via Web of Science (1) Citing Articles via Google Scholar Citing Articles via Scopus Google Scholar Articles by van Wormer, K. Articles by Berns, L. Search for Related Content Social Bookmarking                         What's this?