Wouldn't the priest know where the security cameras were and simply avoid them? I've heard of some priests using confessionals during the abuse as well, since that is a confidential exchange, video cameras would be illegal.
We do need better support for abuse victims (sexual and otherwise). Many abuse victims are threatened with their personal safety or with the safety of their loved ones if they tell about the abuse, and abusers are often authority figures (a parent, relative, or other person in charge of a younger victim, such as a priest, babysitter, or teacher). The rarest sexual abuser is a random individual who doesn't know the child or family. These abusers are often known to the parents, not as abusers, but the parents entrust the care of their children to them.
I think prevention/detection of sexual abuse starts with teaching a child that their bodies are theirs alone. That no one, no matter who they are, is allowed to touch a child in a way that makes the child feel uncomfortable. Children need to be taught that when someone, even authority figures, threaten them or their loved ones, that means they need to tell a trusted adult.
I've also heard several stories from abuse survivors that entail the victim telling a parent, only to have the parent claim the child is lying or even justifying the actions of the abuser. This often compounds the trauma of abuse.
Some parents simply don't know what to do if their child tells them or they suspect their child is being abused. Better education about resources available would be a good starting place on that front.
We do need better support for abuse victims (sexual and otherwise). Many abuse victims are threatened with their personal safety or with the safety of their loved ones if they tell about the abuse, and abusers are often authority figures (a parent, relative, or other person in charge of a younger victim, such as a priest, babysitter, or teacher). The rarest sexual abuser is a random individual who doesn't know the child or family. These abusers are often known to the parents, not as abusers, but the parents entrust the care of their children to them.
I think prevention/detection of sexual abuse starts with teaching a child that their bodies are theirs alone. That no one, no matter who they are, is allowed to touch a child in a way that makes the child feel uncomfortable. Children need to be taught that when someone, even authority figures, threaten them or their loved ones, that means they need to tell a trusted adult.
I've also heard several stories from abuse survivors that entail the victim telling a parent, only to have the parent claim the child is lying or even justifying the actions of the abuser. This often compounds the trauma of abuse.
Some parents simply don't know what to do if their child tells them or they suspect their child is being abused. Better education about resources available would be a good starting place on that front.
