Newsroom Archive


   

John Jay’s Study on Sex Abuse in the Catholic Church Highlighted in The New Yorker

John Jay’s landmark 2003-04 descriptive study on the issue of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church was referenced in the March 11, 2013 Comment section of The New Yorker magazine in an article called “Higher Authorities” by Margaret Talbot.

To read the article, click here.

United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) adopted the Charter for the Protection of Children and Young People (Charter) in June 2002. The Charter called for the creation of a lay body, the National Review Board, which was instructed to conduct a study on the nature and scope of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church. In recognition of the diverse expertise of John Jay’s faculty, The Board asked John Jay College of Criminal Justice to conduct the study.

The College coordinated an experienced team of researchers with expertise in the areas of forensic psychology, criminology, and human behavior led by principle investigator Professor Karen Terry in the Department of Criminal Justice. Published in 2004, the information contained in the report was based on surveys provided by 195 dioceses, representing 98% all diocesan priests in the United States, and 140 religious communities, representing approximately 60% of religious communities and 80% of all religious priests.