Awake Blog
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10 Things Never to Say to Survivors of Clergy Sexual Abuse
As the daughter of a clergy abuse victim-survivor and a lay person who works for the Church, I speak often with fellow Catholics about my family’s experience with the abuse crisis.
Exploring the Impact of Clergy Abuse on Black Communities
The experience of African Americans has been largely erased from the history of sexual abuse in the U.S. Catholic Church, according to three panelists who spoke at an event at Fordham University in April….
Courageous Conversation: Understanding Wisconsin’s Clergy Abuse Investigation
Awake’s latest Courageous Conversation offered Wisconsin Catholics insights into Attorney General Josh Kaul’s recently launched statewide investigation of sexual abuse by clergy and faith leaders.
Starting the Conversation About Clergy Abuse in Asian American and Pacific Islander Communities
The Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities in the Catholic Church are just beginning to grapple with the issue of sexual abuse by Church leaders, due in part to shame and stigma that limit open conversation about sexuality, according to an expert panel at Fordham University….
When Michigan Investigated Clergy Sexual Abuse, My Former Pastor was Arrested
I don’t remember exactly how I found out that my former pastor had been arrested for criminal sexual conduct against an adult.
As Wisconsin Clergy Abuse Investigation Begins, Survivors Respond with Hope—and Reservations
When Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul announced in Madison last week that he was launching a statewide investigation of sexual abuse by clergy and other faith leaders, he was flanked by two survivors of clergy abuse who were clearly moved by the event.
Attorney General Starts Statewide Investigation of Clergy Sexual Abuse in Wisconsin
This morning Wisconsin Attorney General Josh Kaul announced the start of a statewide investigation of sexual abuse by religious leaders in the Catholic Church and other faith communities. The announcement came after Kaul met Monday with representatives of…
Wisconsin Attorney General to Launch Investigation into Clergy Abuse
According to an article that appeared Thursday in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, Wisconsin’s attorney general Josh Kaul is preparing to launch a statewide investigation into clergy sexual abuse.
Courageous Conversation: Remembering Nate Lindstrom
Aaron Lindstrom, the guest speaker at Awake’s latest Courageous Conversation on April 15, shared memories of growing up with his younger brother Nate, who was “super outgoing” and “always ready to have fun” as a child.
Understanding the Wounds Caused by Clergy Sexual Abuse
How does sexual abuse by Church leaders affect the hearts and souls of their victims, as well as the people around them?
Awake’s Way of the Cross Centers Survivor Voices
On March 24, Awake Milwaukee hosted a Lenten prayer service that allowed Catholics to pray the Way of the Cross with and for survivors of sexual abuse in the Church.
Courageous Conversation: Panelists Describe Pain, Loneliness, and Healing After Clergy Sexual Abuse in Adulthood
Awake Milwaukee’s latest Courageous Conversation was an emotionally intense discussion of the wounds suffered by people sexually abused as adults in the Catholic Church.
The Anniversary of Nate Lindstrom’s Suicide Strengthened My Resolve to Aid Survivors
Standing in front of Notre Dame High School in Green Bay nine days ago brought up many memories and feelings for me.
Awake Expands Its Board of Directors, Adding Four New Members
Awake Milwaukee is pleased to welcome four new people to its Board of Directors.
Fordham Panel Explores Clergy Abuse in Native American Communities
Indigenous students suffered sexual, emotional, and physical abuse as well as the loss of culture and family while living in boarding schools run by the Catholic Church, according to a panel of experts who spoke at a virtual event on February 25, hosted by Fordham University through their initiative, Taking Responsibility: Jesuit Institutions Confront the Causes and Legacy of Clergy Sexual Abuse….
Update: The Archdiocese of Milwaukee Offers More Details about New Misconduct Policies
Last week on the Awake Blog, we took a closer look at new archdiocesan policies related to allegations of misconduct by bishops, clergy, and lay leaders.
Archdiocese of Milwaukee Launches New Policies for Reporting Misconduct, Awake Responds
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee recently announced new protocols for handling allegations of misconduct by bishops, as well as allegations of misconduct against adults by clergy or lay leaders in the Church.
Courageous Conversation: Understanding Trauma to Build Trauma–Sensitive Parishes
Every parish has members who have experienced sexual abuse or other types of trauma, making it essential to create communities that feel welcoming and safe to victims and survivors, said Stephen Saunders, Ph.D., professor of psychology at Marquette University, during Awake’s latest Courageous Conversation event.
What We Often Get Wrong About Sexual Abuse and Sexual Offenders
On the Awake blog we’ve written multiple posts about grooming, the tactics abusers may use to prepare their victims for abuse.
Understanding Clergy Abuse in Latinx Communities
Discomfort with discussing sexuality and a focus on the family over the individual are two cultural factors that affect how the clergy abuse crisis has unfolded in Latinx Catholic communities, according to expert panelists at a Fordham University event held virtually on January 28….