The Silence - Abusers in Organizational Settings (Clip 3)

Overarching Question: How does someone who’s committed crimes of a sexual nature ensure the silence of both their community and organization in order to maintain their position of authority?

Summary: While The Silence focuses on acts that occurred in the past, the underlying issue of child sexual abuse remains all too prevalent. We must also remember that abusers gain coercive control of their victims gradually, often through some form of psychological manipulation (e.g., emotional blackmail, manipulation, making the victim feel as though they’re to blame, instilling a climate of fear or denial, gaslighting, etc.). Once gained, this control may be maintained by “buying” the victim’s silence, often through privileges or gifts (activities, trips, consumer goods, etc.). The abuser is also adept at creating opportunities for abuse, such as trips that involve spending time away from the family. Some 64% of sexual assaults take place in a private residence such as the abuser’s, who in most cases is known to the victim; the notion that abusers are strangers encountered in a dark alleyway is false. Lastly, abusers know all too well that the risks of getting caught and convicted are extremely low. Just 33 of every 1,000 sexual assaults are reported to the police. Of these, only 12 will result in charges being laid. Six of these will go to court, and just three will lead to any sort of conviction.