2026-04-14T07:15:19Zhttps://recercat.cat/oai/request

oai:recercat.cat:2445/2231252025-12-04T22:33:01Zcom_2072_1057col_2072_478917col_2072_478931

Child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in Spain: A descriptive analysis of its characteristics and long-term impact Pereda Beltran, Noemí Tamarit Sumalla, Josep M. (Josep Maria) Bartolomé-Valenzuela, Marina Espanya Abús sexual envers els infants pel clericat Spain Child sexual abuse by clergy Sexual abuse within the Catholic Church is a serious social issue and a significant public health problem that has caused exten- sive harm worldwide. In 2022, an independent commission was established in Spain to investigate sexual abuse within the Church. The commission gathered data from 334 victims (82.3% men, 17.7% women), who were predominantly aged between 55 and 74 years old (62.5%). A majority of victims (71.0%) endured sexual abuse involving physical contact, while 21% reported instances of oral, anal, or vaginal penetration. Over half of the victims (57.5%) reported emotional and beha- vioral issues, as well as functional problems, problems in rela- tionships, sexuality, and cognition, and attributed these difficulties to the abuse. The majority of participants (79.0%) had disclosed the abuse before the study, with the Church taking action in 45.8% of cases. Approximately 8.4% of victims reported the perpetrator was relocated, while 16.2% described institutional efforts to conceal the abuse. In conclusion, victims of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in Spain faced con- sequences that had a significant impact on their lives, exacer- bated by lack of societal recognition and a prevalent dynamic of cover-up and concealment by the Church. 2025-09-12T12:56:47Z 2025-09-12T12:56:47Z 2025 2025-09-12T12:56:47Z info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersion Versió postprint del document publicat a: https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2024.2349312 Journal Of Child Sexual Abuse, 2025, vol. 34, num.5-6, p. 476-495 https://doi.org/10.1080/10538712.2024.2349312 (c) Taylor & Francis, 2025 info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess Taylor & Francis Articles publicats en revistes (Psicologia Clínica i Psicobiologia)