Child Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church in Poland From 1950 to 2021. Methodology and Results

Abstract

The report presents study on child sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in Poland from 1950 to 2021, using data collected in three comprehensive queries conducted between 2014 and 2021. The analysis is based on notifications reported to dioceses and male religious congregations, processed by the Institute for Catholic Church Statistics. The study categorizes cases based on the credibility of allegations and tracks the evolution of data collection methodologies, moving from handwritten questionnaires to more detailed online surveys. The research explores variables such as victim demographics (age, gender, and Church affiliation), perpetrator profiles, forms and circumstances of abuse, and reporting patterns. Over the analyzed period, 1,193 minors were identified as victims in notifications, with 1,018 credible allegations. Boys constituted 56% of victims, with an average age of abuse rising from 11 to nearly 15 years. Of 838 accused clergy, 394 were credibly implicated, primarily priests. Most offenders harmed a single victim, though 20% had multiple victims. Findings indicate a significant increase in abuse cases from the 1970s to the 1980s. Despite the detailed data, the study emphasizes limitations, including the inability to fully ascertain the prevalence of abuse due to underreporting and varied motivations for disclosure. The results highlight the need for continuous monitoring to comprehensively understand and address this issue. This research contributes to broader efforts to enhance transparency, accountability, and preventive measures within the Church.

Keywords

child sexual abuse catholic church statistics victims priests

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