According to Psychology Today, The Church has used the best practices to deal with the issue of clergy abuse since 2002. However, these abuses still occur even though safe environment training has been implemented. Reporting rates of these crimes are low for all genders.
Because the abuse is not spoken about, many struggle to heal. If you are ready to start the healing journey you deserve, read this guide.
Recognizing the Abuse
The first step in the recovery process is recognizing the clergy abuse. This is a difficult step, but it is important for the healing process. Proper healing after clergy sex abuse can only happen when it is chosen and you are willing to make that change.
After recognizing the abuse, you will often go through an emergency stage. This is when you must deal with the memories and suppressed feelings you have about the abuse.
This part of the healing process can throw your life for a loop, but it is important to remember that it is only temporary. Eventually, this stage will help you heal overall.
Remembering and Believing
Once you go through the emergency stage, you will find yourself remembering things you may have not for a long time. Even if you don’t remember how the incident felt, you may still remember the incident occurring. Remembering these feelings and what actually happened is beneficial to the healing process even though it may not feel that way at the time.
Many adults find themselves doubting the truth of the matter. When you come to believe that the abuse really did happen by bringing back the suppressed memories, you can move further into the healing process.
Breaking Your Silence
If you kept your clergy abuse to yourself, you should break your silence. Even if it happened years ago, keeping the secret is not going to benefit the healing process.
Telling a trusted individual what happened is a powerful healing tool. Even if this person is a clergy abuse lawyer.
Once you open up to another person, it is easier to accept that the abuse was not your fault. Many children believe abuse is their fault but as an adult, the blame should get placed where it belongs. Anger is a force that can help the healing process when it is directed at the abuser.
Confrontations
A clergy abuse attorney can help you get in touch with the abuser or their family. Although this path is not for everything, it could help some with their healing process.
For many, moving on is only possible through a clergy abuse settlement. If you want to file a clergy abuse lawsuit, visit maryalexanderlaw.com.
Healing From Clergy Abuse
As an adult, you may have trauma that has followed you throughout your life because of clergy abuse. No matter what point you are at in life, it is possible to get through the healing process and see justice get served. When you let go of all the suppressed memories, break your silence, and confront your past, you are well on your way to healing.
If you want to learn more about the lawsuits you can file to get the compensation you deserve, look for other posts on our blog.
