Clergy sexual abuse of adults: Institutional power and legislative resistance in the United States

Abstract

This commentary examines recent legislative efforts to criminalize clergy sexual abuse of adults in the United States, revealing how religious institutions deploy constitutional protections to maintain power and evade accountability. Through analysis of and institutional responses to similar legislation, it demonstrates how patriarchal power structures within religious organizations systematically silence victims while protecting abusers. Drawing on feminist and critical legal perspectives, it analyzes how First Amendment religious protections are manipulated to perpetuate harm against marginalized groups, particularly women. The commentary concludes by advocating for transformative change that dismantles existing power structures while amplifying survivor-led movements for accountability and justice.