Research shows that sexual abuse is more likely to occur in (and be ignored by) particular kinds of institutional cultures.
In particular, male-dominated organisations that lack oversight and accountability can harbour a “barrack-yard” culture that promotes physical and sexual abuse.
As Marie Keenan indicates in her 2012 book Child Sexual Abuse and the Catholic Church, organisational culture is a key reason the Catholic Church has a problem with the sexual abuse of children.
- The general mindset and power structure of the Church is feudal in origin and nature.
- Figures of authority are entitled to expect absolute deference from subordinates.
- Men have divinely sanctioned authority over women and children.
- There is little, if any, real interest in democratic decision-making.
By any measure, this creates a situation ripe for the development of cultures of abuse.
In this environment, one or two charismatic perpetrators can draw adults and children within institutions into overlooking, colluding or perpetrating in the abuse. This can result in the development of clandestine networks of abusers within and across institutions and organisations that uphold the culture of sexual abuse. Hence sexual abusers can be incubated within institutions.
A Royal Commission focused solely on identifying and hounding out “paedophiles” cannot fulfil the brief of protecting children and providing justice to victims. It must also address the institutional factors that promote sexual abuse.
It has been common for institutional authorities to silence children who complain of abuse, while protecting abusers. This becomes more complex in the case of clergy abuse. The religious affiliations of police, politicians and authority figures may draw them into the efforts of a church to suppress allegations. Some critics have described this pattern of institutional cover-up as evidence of “organised paedophilia”. The line between complicity and conspiracy is uncertain. Institutional sexual abuse may occur due disorganised rather than organised abuse: a lack of basic safeguards, protections or care that leave children vulnerable to repetitive sexual abuse.
But we cannot dismiss allegations of organised abuse and cover-ups out of hand. It is clear that institutions can harbour sexually abusive cultures and groups without detection. Continue reading
– Michael Salter is lecturer in criminology at the University of Western Sydney. Michael does not work for, consult to, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has no relevant affiliations.