Executive Summary of the study “Relational dynamics of sexual abuse in an ecclesial context in Chile: understanding to prevent”

Year: 2022

Authors: Ana María Celis B, M. Josefina Martínez B. Claudia Capella S., Constanza Garrido M., Paulina Eyzaguirre G., Camila Gómez M.

Keywords: sexual abuse, relational dynamics, Church in Chile, sexual abuse of minors

Study commissioned from the UC Center for Law and Religion by the Chilean Episcopal Conference, in response to the crisis over cases of sexual abuse committed by clergy. The aim was to understand the ties and relational dynamics that have enabled sexual abuse in national ecclesial contexts, through qualitative phases (psycho-religious role and the spiritual impact on victims) and quantitative phases (to measure and characterise the situations using canonical and state case files), in order to guide bishops in preventing these crimes in the Church.