Child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in Spain: A descriptive analysis of its characteristics and long-term impact

Abstract

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.