The prevalence of child sexual abuse perpetrated by leaders or other adults in religious organizations in Australia

Journal article

Hunt, Gabrielle R., Mathews, Ben, Higgins, Daryl J., Finkelhor, David, Willis, Megan L., Haslam, Divna M., Lawrence, David, Meinck, Franziska, Thomas, Hannah J, Malacova, Eva, Pacella, Rosana E. and Scott, James G.. (2024). The prevalence of child sexual abuse perpetrated by leaders or other adults in religious organizations in Australia. Child Abuse and Neglect. 155, p. Article 106946. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106946
AuthorsHunt, Gabrielle R., Mathews, Ben, Higgins, Daryl J., Finkelhor, David, Willis, Megan L., Haslam, Divna M., Lawrence, David, Meinck, Franziska, Thomas, Hannah J, Malacova, Eva, Pacella, Rosana E. and Scott, James G.
Abstract

Background
Numerous national public inquiries have highlighted the problem of child sexual abuse in religious organizations. Despite this, evidence of population-wide prevalence is scarce.

Objective
To provide the first nationally representative prevalence estimates of child sexual abuse perpetrated by adults in religious organizations in Australia.

Methods
The Australian Child Maltreatment Study (ACMS) surveyed 8503 people aged 16 and over about their experiences of child maltreatment. Weighted prevalence estimates were calculated based on responses to the child sexual abuse questions from the Juvenile Victimization Questionnaire-R2: Adapted Version (ACMS).

Results
One in 250 people reported being sexually abused as a child by an adult in a religious organization (0.4 %, 95 % CI, 0.3–0.6 %). Men reported significantly higher rates of child sexual abuse by these perpetrators (0.8 %, 95 % CI, 0.5–1.2 %), compared to women (0.1 %, 95 % CI, 0–0.3 %). This type of sexual abuse was overwhelmingly perpetrated by men (0.4 %, 95 % CI, 0.3–0.6 %), compared to women (0 %, 95 % CI, 0–0.1 %), and was substantially more often experienced in Catholic organizations (71.9 %) than other Christian denominations or other religions. Prevalence of child sexual abuse in religious organizations has declined over time (2.2 % of men 65 years and older, compared with 0.2 % of 16–24-year-old men).

Conclusions
Child sexual abuse has been widespread in religious organizations in Australia. A decline over time indicates progress has been made in preventing sexual abuse of children. Religious organizations must take all reasonable measures to prevent child sexual abuse, with a particular need for interventions targeting male leaders, and organizational cultures.

Keywordschild sexual abuse; religious; clergy abuse; prevention
Year2024
JournalChild Abuse and Neglect
Journal citation155, p. Article 106946
PublisherElsevier Ltd
ISSN0145-2134
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2024.106946
PubMed ID39103255
Scopus EID2-s2.0-85201927815
Open accessPublished as ‘gold’ (paid) open access
FunderNational Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC)
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, Australian Government
Department of Social Services, Australian Government
Australian Institute of Criminology
European Research Council (ERC)
UK Research and Innovation Global Challenges Research Fund
Queensland Centre for Mental Health Research
Publisher's version
License
File Access Level
Open
Output statusPublished
Publication dates
Online07 Sep 2024
Publication process dates
Accepted12 Jul 2024
Deposited21 Jan 2025
Grant IDAPP1158750
852787
ES/S008101/1
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Lonne, Bob, Higgins, Daryl, Herrenkohl, Todd I. and Scott, Debbie. (2020). Reconstructing the workforce within public health protective systems : Improving resilience, retention, service responsiveness and outcomes. Child Abuse and Neglect. 110, p. Article 104191. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2019.104191
Safeguarding capabilities in preventing child sexual abuse : Exploratory factor analysis of a scale measuring safeguarding capabilities in youth-serving organizations workers
Russell, Douglas and Higgins, Daryl. (2020). Safeguarding capabilities in preventing child sexual abuse : Exploratory factor analysis of a scale measuring safeguarding capabilities in youth-serving organizations workers. Child Maltreatment. 25(2), pp. 233-242. https://doi.org/10.1177/1077559519870253
Gender diversity and safety climate perceptions in schools and other youth-serving organisations
Russell, Douglas H., Anderson, Joel R., Riggs, Damien W., Ullman, Jacqueline and Higgins, Daryl J.. (2020). Gender diversity and safety climate perceptions in schools and other youth-serving organisations. Children and Youth Services Review. 117, p. 105334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2020.105334
A sensorimotor control framework for understanding emotional communication and regulation
Justin H G Williams, Charlotte F Huggins, Barbra Zupan, Megan Willis, Tamsyn E Van Rheenen, Wataru Sato, Romina Palermo, Catherine Ortner, Martin Krippl, Mariska Kret, Joanne M. Dickson, Chiang-Shan R. Li and Leroy Lowe. (2020). A sensorimotor control framework for understanding emotional communication and regulation. Neuroscience and Biobehavioral Reviews. 112, pp. 503-518. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.02.014
Preventing child sexual abuse: A systematic review of interventions and their efficacy in developing countries
Russell, D., Higgins, D. and Posso, A.. (2020). Preventing child sexual abuse: A systematic review of interventions and their efficacy in developing countries. Child Abuse and Neglect. 102(April 2020), pp. 1 - 14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2020.104395
Service system responses to children and young people in the statutory child protection system who have experienced or witnessed family violence
Cahill, Alex, Stewart, Jacqueline and Higgins, Daryl. (2020). Service system responses to children and young people in the statutory child protection system who have experienced or witnessed family violence Australia: Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University. https://doi.org/10.26199/5e2fc4dd37b96
Family foundations outcome evaluation
Trew, Sebastian, Stewart, Jacqueline, Thorpe, Rhys, Tewson, Anna and Higgins, Daryl. (2019). Family foundations outcome evaluation Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University.
Keeping our eye on sex, power, relationships, and institutional contexts in preventing institutional child sexual abuse
Higgins, Daryl and Moore, Tim. (2019). Keeping our eye on sex, power, relationships, and institutional contexts in preventing institutional child sexual abuse. In In Bryce, India, Robinson, Yolande and Petherick, Wayne (Ed.). Child abuse and neglect : Forensic issues in evidence, impact and management pp. 45-62 Academic Press. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-815344-4.00003-9
Youth-serving organization safety risks and the situational prevention approach
Kaufman, Keith, Erooga, Marcus, Higgins, Daryl and Zatkin, Judith. (2019). Youth-serving organization safety risks and the situational prevention approach. In In Lonne, Bob, Scott, Deb, Higgins, Daryl and Herrenkohl, Todd I. (Ed.). Re-visioning public health approaches for protecting children pp. 165-180 Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05858-6_11
New directions for public health approaches : Key themes and issues
Herrenkohl, Todd I., Lonne, Bob, Scott, Debbie and Higgins, Daryl. (2019). New directions for public health approaches : Key themes and issues. In In Lonne, Bob, Scott, Deb, Higgins, Daryl and Herrenkohl, Todd I. (Ed.). Re-visioning public health approaches for protecting children pp. 487-499 Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05858-6_28
Families – Private and sacred : How to raise the curtain and implement family support from a public health perspective
Higgins, Daryl, Sanders, Matthew, Lonne, Bob and Richardson, Dominic. (2019). Families – Private and sacred : How to raise the curtain and implement family support from a public health perspective. In In Lonne, Bob, Scott, Deb, Higgins, Daryl and Herrenkohl, Todd I. (Ed.). Re-visioning public health approaches for protecting children pp. 127-143 Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05858-6_9
The successes and limitations of contemporary approaches to child protection
Higgins, Daryl, Lonne, Bob, Herrenkohl, Todd I. and Scott, Debbie. (2019). The successes and limitations of contemporary approaches to child protection. In In Lonne, Bob, Scott, Deb, Higgins, Daryl and Herrenkohl, Todd I. (Ed.). Re-visioning public health approaches for protecting children pp. 3-17 Springer Nature. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-05858-6_1
Children show adult-like facial appearance biases when trusting others
Ewing, Louise, Sutherland, Clare A.M. and Willis, Megan L.. (2019). Children show adult-like facial appearance biases when trusting others. Developmental Psychology. 55(8), pp. 1694 - 1701. https://doi.org/10.1037/dev0000747
Safety survey data from Victorian youth-serving organisations: Survey data from workers, young people, and organisational leaders’ self-reflections after implementing the Victorian Child Safe Standards
Russell, Douglas, Higgins, Daryl J. and Stewart, Jacqui. (2019). Safety survey data from Victorian youth-serving organisations: Survey data from workers, young people, and organisational leaders’ self-reflections after implementing the Victorian Child Safe Standards Australia: Institute of Child Protection Studies, Australian Catholic University. https://doi.org/10.26199/5e27ad866a7c7
Anodal tDCS and high-frequency TRNs targeting the occipitotemporal cortex do not always enhance face perception
Willis, Megan L., Costantino, Andrea I., Nitsche, Michael A., Palermo, Romina and Rivolta, Davide. (2019). Anodal tDCS and high-frequency TRNs targeting the occipitotemporal cortex do not always enhance face perception. Frontiers in Neuroscience. 13(78), pp. 1 - 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnins.2019.00078
Education for family life in Australia
Smyth, Bruce M., Hunter, Cathryn, Macvean, Michelle, Walter, Maggie and Higgins, Daryl J.. (2018). Education for family life in Australia. In In Robila, Mihaela and Taylor, Alan C. (Ed.). Global perspectives on family life education pp. 93-113 Springer International Publishing. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-77589-0_7
Protecting children from abuse in organisations needs leadership and cultural change
Higgins, Daryl J.. (2017). Protecting children from abuse in organisations needs leadership and cultural change The Conversation Media Group. https://doi.org/10.24268/fhs.8341
Adverse childhood experiences, non-response and loss to follow-up: Findings from a prospective birth cohort and recommendations for addressing missing data
Doidge, James C., Edwards, Ben, Higgins, Daryl and Segal, Leonie. (2017). Adverse childhood experiences, non-response and loss to follow-up: Findings from a prospective birth cohort and recommendations for addressing missing data. Longitudinal and Life Course Studies. 8(4), pp. 382 - 400. https://doi.org/10.14301/llcs.v8i4.414
Economic predictors of child maltreatment in an Australian population-based birth cohort
Doidge, James C., Higgins, Daryl J., Delfabbro, Paul, Edwards, Ben, Vassallo, Suzanne, Toumbourou, John W. and Segal, Leonie. (2017). Economic predictors of child maltreatment in an Australian population-based birth cohort. Children and Youth Services Review. 72, pp. 14 - 25. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2016.10.012
Risk factors for child maltreatment in an Australian population-based birth cohort
Doidge, James C., Higgins, Daryl J., Delfabbro, Paul and Segal, Leonie. (2017). Risk factors for child maltreatment in an Australian population-based birth cohort. Child Abuse and Neglect. 64, pp. 47 - 60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chiabu.2016.12.002
Public health models for preventing child maltreatment: Applications from the field of injury prevention
Scott, Debbie, Lonne, Bob and Higgins, Daryl. (2016). Public health models for preventing child maltreatment: Applications from the field of injury prevention. Trauma, Violence, and Abuse. 17(4), pp. 408 - 419. https://doi.org/10.1177/1524838016658877
How can child welfare and youth-serving organisations keep children safe?
Higgins, Daryl J., Kaufman, Keith and Erooga, Marcus. (2016). How can child welfare and youth-serving organisations keep children safe? Developing Practice.
Conceptualising the prevention of child sexual abuse
Quadara, Antonia, Nagy, Vicky, Higgins, Daryl and Siegel, Natalie. (2015). Conceptualising the prevention of child sexual abuse Australia: Australian Institute of Family Studies, Australian Government.
The contribution of emotional empathy to approachability judgments assigned to emotional faces is context specific
Willis, Megan, Lawson, Danielle, Ridley, Nicole, Koval, Peter and Rendell, Peter. (2015). The contribution of emotional empathy to approachability judgments assigned to emotional faces is context specific. Frontiers in Psychology (online). 6, pp. 1 - 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2015.01209
Anodal tDCS targeting the right orbitofrontal cortex enhances facial expression recognition
Willis, Megan L., Murphy, Jillian M., Ridley, Nicole J. and Vercammen, Ans. (2015). Anodal tDCS targeting the right orbitofrontal cortex enhances facial expression recognition. Social Cognitive and Affective Neuroscience. 10(12), pp. 1677 - 1683. https://doi.org/10.1093/scan/nsv057
A public health approach to enhancing safe and supportive family environments for children
Higgins, Daryl J.. (2015). A public health approach to enhancing safe and supportive family environments for children. Family Matters. 96, pp. 39 - 52.
Situational context and perceived threat modulate approachability judgements to emotional faces
Willis, Megan, Windsor, Natalie, Lawson, Danielle and Ridley, Nicole. (2015). Situational context and perceived threat modulate approachability judgements to emotional faces. PLoS One (online). 10(6), pp. 1 - 15. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0131472
The Stronger Families in Australia (SFIA) study: Phase 2
Edwards, Ben, Mullan, Killian, Katz, Lian and Higgins, Daryl. (2014). The Stronger Families in Australia (SFIA) study: Phase 2 Australia: Australian Institute of Family Studies, Australian Government.
Complex family issues: Collective awareness, common narratives and coordinated approaches to promoting resilience
Hayes, Alan and Higgins, Daryl. (2014). Complex family issues: Collective awareness, common narratives and coordinated approaches to promoting resilience. In In A. Hayes and D. Higgins (Ed.). Families, policy and the law: Selected essays on contemporary issues for Australia pp. 299 - 303 Australian Institute of Family Studies, Australian Government.
Weaving a common narrative: An introduction to essays on families, policy and the law in Australia
Hayes, Alan and Higgins, Daryl. (2014). Weaving a common narrative: An introduction to essays on families, policy and the law in Australia. In Families, policy and the law: Selected essays on contemporary issues for Australia pp. 1 - 4 Australian Institute of Family Studies, Australian Government.
The nature of facial expression recognition deficits following orbitofrontal cortex damage
Willis, Megan, Palermo, Romina, McGrillen, Ky and Miller, Laurie. (2014). The nature of facial expression recognition deficits following orbitofrontal cortex damage. Neuropsychology. 28(4), pp. 613 - 623. https://doi.org/10.1037/neu0000059
Past adoption practices: Implications for current interventions
Higgins, Daryl. (2014). Past adoption practices: Implications for current interventions. 36(4), pp. 8 - 11.
Contemporary issues in child protection intake, referral and family support
Bromfield, Leah, Arney, Fiona and Higgins, Daryl. (2014). Contemporary issues in child protection intake, referral and family support. In In A. Hayes and D. Higgins (Ed.). Families, policy and the law: Selected essays on contemporary issues for Australia pp. 121 - 129 Australian Institute of Family Studies, Australian Government.
Reform, (r)evolution and lingering Effects: Family policies in Australia
Higgins, Daryl J.. (2014). Reform, (r)evolution and lingering Effects: Family policies in Australia. In In M. Robila (Ed.). Handbook of family policies across the globe pp. 335 - 353 Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-6771-7_22
Past adoption practices: Key messages for service delivery responses and current policies
Kenny, Pauline and Higgins, Daryl. (2014). Past adoption practices: Key messages for service delivery responses and current policies. In In A. Hayes and D. Higgins (Ed.). Families, policy and the law: Selected essays on contemporary issues for Australia pp. 29 - 38 Australian Institute of Family Studies, Australian Government.
Multi-type maltreatment and polyvictimisation: A comparison of two research frameworks
Price-Robertson, Rhys, Higgins, Daryl J. and Vassallo, Suzanne. (2013). Multi-type maltreatment and polyvictimisation: A comparison of two research frameworks. Family Matters. 93, pp. 84 - 98.
Past adoption experiences: Impacts, insights and implications for policy and practice
Kenny, Pauline, Higgins, Daryl, Sweid, Reem and Soloff, Carol. (2013). Past adoption experiences: Impacts, insights and implications for policy and practice. Children and Families Australia. 7(1), pp. 35 - 46.
The relationship between anxiety and the social judgements of approachability and trustworthiness
Willis, Megan, Dodd, Helen F. and Palermo, Romina. (2013). The relationship between anxiety and the social judgements of approachability and trustworthiness. PLoS ONE. 8(10), pp. 1 - 5. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0076825
Past adoption experiences: Impacts, insights and implications for policy and practice
Kenny, Pauline, Higgins, Daryl, Sweid, Reem and Soloff, Carol. (2013). Past adoption experiences: Impacts, insights and implications for policy and practice. Communities, Children and Families. 7(1), pp. 35 - 46.
Families make all the difference: Helping kids to grow and learn
Baxter, Jennifer, Higgins, Daryl J. and Hayes, Alan. (2012). Families make all the difference: Helping kids to grow and learn. Family Matters. 90, pp. 98 - 105.
Child abuse and neglect in Australia's Northern Territory: The Northern Territory Emergency Response
Higgins, Daryl and Scott, Debbie. (2012). Child abuse and neglect in Australia's Northern Territory: The Northern Territory Emergency Response. In In H. Dubowitz (Ed.). World perspectives on child abuse pp. 69 - 75 International Society for the Prevention of Child Abuse and Neglect.
Contemporary militant extremism: A linguistic approach to scale development
Stankov, Lazar, Higgins, D., Saucier, Gerard and Knezevic, Goran. (2012). Contemporary militant extremism: A linguistic approach to scale development. In In G. J. Boyle, Donald H. Saklofske and G. Matthews (Ed.). Psychological Assessment pp. 41 - 67 SAGE Publications Inc..
Protecting children: Evolving systems
Higgins, Daryl. (2011). Protecting children: Evolving systems. Family Matters.
Social judgements are influenced by both facial expression and direction of eye gaze
Willis, Megan Louise, Palermo, Romina and Burke, Darren. (2011). Social judgements are influenced by both facial expression and direction of eye gaze. Social cognition. 29(4), pp. 415 - 429. https://doi.org/10.1521/soco.2011.29.4.415
Impaired holistic coding of facial expression and facial identity in congenital prosopagnosia
Palermo, Romina, Willis, Megan Louise, Rivolta, Davide, McKone, Elinor, Wilson, C Ellie and Calder, Andrew. (2011). Impaired holistic coding of facial expression and facial identity in congenital prosopagnosia. Neuropsychologia. 49(5), pp. 1226 - 1235. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2011.02.021
Judging Approachability on the Face of It :The Influence of Face and Body Expressions on the Perception of Approachability
Willis, Megan Louise, Palermo, Romina and Burke, Darren. (2011). Judging Approachability on the Face of It :The Influence of Face and Body Expressions on the Perception of Approachability. Emotion. 11(3), pp. 514 - 523. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0022571
Unfit mothers... Unjust practices?: Key issues from Australian research on the impact of past adoption practices
Higgins, Daryl J.. (2011). Unfit mothers... Unjust practices?: Key issues from Australian research on the impact of past adoption practices. Family Matters. 87(1), pp. 56 - 67.
Switching associations between facial identity and emotional expression : A behavioural and ERP study
Willis, Megan Louise, Palermo, Romina, Burke, Darren, Atkinson, Carmen and McArthur, Genevieve. (2010). Switching associations between facial identity and emotional expression : A behavioural and ERP study. NeuroImage. 50(1), pp. 329 - 339. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuroimage.2009.11.071
Contemporary militant extremism: A linguistic approach to scale development
Stankov, Lazar, Higgins, D., Saucier, G. and Kneszevic, G. (2010). Contemporary militant extremism: A linguistic approach to scale development. Psychological Assessment. 22(2), pp. 246 - 258. https://doi.org/10.1037/a0017372
Orbitofrontal cortex lesions result in abnormal social judgements to emotional faces
Willis, Megan Louise, Palermo, Romina, Burke, Darren, McGrillen, Ky and Miller, Laurie. (2010). Orbitofrontal cortex lesions result in abnormal social judgements to emotional faces. Neuropsychologia. 48(7), pp. 2182 - 2187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropsychologia.2010.04.010