" ... a random survey of over 7,000 active Catholics in the U.S. and Canada found a closer ratio, that 1.7 percent of the females and 3.3 percent of the males had been sexually abused in childhood by a priest ..." (Katherine van Wormer, MSSW, Ph.D.) Psychology Today - Priest abuse male compared female victimization impact - published May 20, 2010.

Using these numbers as a base whilst recognising that a substantial number of victims would have already left the church the following formula is used to calculate a low estimate of the number of sexual abuse victims in a given population of Catholics.

1.2 billion catholics
1.7% females abused = 10,404,000 [1.7% of 51.98% of the Catholic population]
3.3% males abused = 19,404,000 [3.3% of 48.02% of the Catholic population]

On the basis of the above figures there are potentially 29,808,000 [combined males and females] Catholics in the World who could identify themselves as having been sexually abused in childhood by a Catholic priest.


This formula can be applied to any population.
Estimate number of Australian Catholics sexually abused in their childhood by Catholic priests.
Australia 5,239,000 million catholics (2006 Census)
Estimated number of survivors who have been "finalized" (completed church or legal process) in Australia between 1000 and 4000.
1.7% females abused = 45,422
3.3% males abused = 84,715

Data sources:
http://www.usccb.org/
http://www.ato.gov.au/
http://www.ncls.org.au/
http://www.ppo.catholic.org.au/
http://www.bishop-accountability.org/
http://www.catholic-hierarchy.org/

"Once a cult gets big enough to dominate large areas of life (generally large enough to kill people) and gets official recognition, it becomes a 'religion'." Silverwhistle.

"A review of the literature on priest/clergy abuse reveals that for both genders the typical survivor became disillusioned with the church and suffered a loss of religious faith as a result of the abuse and the subsequent institutional response to the abuse. An inadequate amount of research has been done to determine the full extent of suicide attempts or completed suicides of victims of this form of abuse. One estimate in the literature is that 20 percent of children who were abused by religious authorities considered suicide at some point." "...two major themes: loss of religious faith, and attacks on their personal integrity when they told of the abuse." Psychology Today - Priest abuse male compared female victimization impact

It is estimated that only approximately 3% obtain a resolution via the courts or the church; this leaves 97% of survivors of any given population without any form of justice or adequate treatment and support. The vast majority of these survivors will be in receipt of some form of government benefit or pension if it is available in that country.

This clearly defined subset of Catholics and ex-Catholics can be shown to be the subject of discrimination on the basis of the status of their abusers.

Abused: The calculated total of abused using the 3.3 & 1.7 figures referred to in the Psychology Today article.
Boys: The percentage of boys abused - 3.3%
Girls: The percentage of girls abused - 1.7%
Disclosed: Estimated numbers disclosing if the disclosure rate is 3%. - Estimated Estimate of number obtaining a resolution via church or legal means. Number processed (via church or legal processes) [The "Healed"]
Barred: Estimated number denied access to justice via the legal system due to Statute of Limitations laws - 90%

Suicide Risk; 20% (victims) at the highest risk of suicide as a result of the abuse and the subsequent institutional [and government] response to the abuse[s].

Calculates the estimated number of people who identify as having been sexually abused as a child by a catholic priest. Does not include other forms of abuse or abuse by other religious.

This is the first time this type of data has been made publicly available.

We would like to be able to add the numbers for those 'healed' - these figures should be available from both the church and the government.

Two major themes: loss of religious faith, and attacks on their personal integrity when they told of the abuse. "Something has to be independent and it has to be seen to be independent. . . Justice must be done and be seen to be done."

Ireland - Diocese

Diocese	Catholics	Abused	Boys (3.3%)	Girls (1.7%)	Disclosed/Resolved (3%)    - Estimated	Barred - SoL (90%)	Suicide risk
Achonry	35,224	869	558	311	26 (G 17) (B 9)	782	174
Ardagh (and Clonmacnois)	73,300	1,809	1,162	648	54 (G 35) (B 19)	1,628	362
Armagh (Archdiocese)	215,912	5,329	3,421	1,908	160 (G 103) (B 57)	4,796	1,066
Cashel (-Emly) (Archdiocese)	78,442	1,936	1,243	693	58 (G 37) (B 21)	1,743	387
Clogher	86,047	2,124	1,364	760	64 (G 41) (B 23)	1,912	425
Clonfert	34,800	859	551	308	26 (G 17) (B 9)	773	172
Cloyne	136,312	3,365	2,160	1,205	101 (G 65) (B 36)	3,028	673
Cork and Ross	215,500	5,319	3,415	1,904	160 (G 102) (B 57)	4,787	1,064
Derry	232,136	5,730	3,679	2,051	172 (G 110) (B 62)	5,157	1,146
Down and Connor	317,622	7,840	5,033	2,807	235 (G 151) (B 84)	7,056	1,568
Dromore	65,200	1,609	1,033	576	48 (G 31) (B 17)	1,448	322
Elphin	68,000	1,678	1,078	601	50 (G 32) (B 18)	1,511	336
Ferns	99,723	2,461	1,580	881	74 (G 47) (B 26)	2,215	492
Galway and Kilmacduagh	102,425	2,528	1,623	905	76 (G 49) (B 27)	2,275	506
Kerry	128,850	3,180	2,042	1,139	95 (G 61) (B 34)	2,862	636
Kildare and Leighlin	191,222	4,720	3,030	1,690	142 (G 91) (B 51)	4,248	944
Killala	37,951	937	601	335	28 (G 18) (B 10)	843	187
Killaloe	113,067	2,791	1,792	999	84 (G 54) (B 30)	2,512	558
Kilmore	54,500	1,345	864	482	40 (G 26) (B 14)	1,211	269
Limerick	160,000	3,949	2,535	1,414	118 (G 76) (B 42)	3,554	790
Meath	223,200	5,509	3,537	1,972	165 (G 106) (B 59)	4,958	1,102
Ossory	78,273	1,932	1,240	692	58 (G 37) (B 21)	1,739	386
Raphoe	79,720	1,968	1,263	704	59 (G 38) (B 21)	1,771	394
Tuam (Archdiocese)	120,324	2,970	1,907	1,063	89 (G 57) (B 32)	2,673	594
Waterford and Lismore	136,029	3,358	2,156	1,202	101 (G 65) (B 36)	3,022	672

What are the numbers of clergy abuse victims?
How many clergy sexual abuse victims are there?
How many were abused by catholic clergy?
How many suffered priestly abuse?
How many abused at the hands of Catholic priests?
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• Australia - Diocese/Parish Sampling
• Australia - Locality Sampling
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