Citation

Kennedy M. Fem. Theol. 2003; 11(2): 226-235.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2003, SAGE Publishing)

DOI

10.1177/096673500301100213

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This paper documents the growing awareness of the sexual exploitation of women who seek help from priests and ministers. Over the six years that MACSAS (Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors) has been in existence, 100 women and three men have contacted the organisation concerning sexual abuse as adults by clergy and ministers. Typically leaders of Christian denominations to whom they have reported this abuse characterise it as 'an affair' and often blame women for seducing male clergy. Drawing from literature on the sexual abuse of clients by professionals, this paper vigorously calls for clergy and ministers to be regarded as professionals and for women and men who seek the pastoral help of clergy to be viewed as clients. Concepts of 'vulnerability' and 'consent' are also explored in order to clarify the nature of clergy abuse.