ABSTRACT
Clergy-perpetrated child sexual abuse (CPCSA) has been recognised internationally as having devastating impacts on individuals, families, and communities. Both research and the results of public inquiries have pointed to the systemic nature of CPCSA in religious organisations. Despite these findings, little research has considered CPCSA and subsequent cover-up as organised. This chapter argues for the significance of understanding CPCSA as organised offending and the importance of this for policymakers and ongoing management of CPCSA. Utilising Social Network Analysis and Dark Networks Theory, the work points to the potential internationalisation of clergy offending and the vulnerability of developing nation states where disruption of networks may not have occurred. Relevant considerations include the role of a strong democracy, the importance of independent media representations, and changing policy in the care and resourcing of vulnerable children away from large-scale children’s homes.
