Shattering the Illusion: Child Sexual Abuse and Canadian Religious Institutions

Shattering the Illusion is the first book to gather and comparatively analyze policies addressing child sexual abuse complaints in a selection of religious institutions in Canada. Although there is a substantial body of literature regarding Christianity and sexual abuse, very little of it focuses on religious institutions in Canada and their respective policies.

In the foreword, Tracey J. Trothen summarizes the Cornwall Inquiry, out of which this book arose. She then examines the Roman Catholic Church, The United Church of Canada, the Anglican Church, the Mennonite Church, Islam, and the Canadian Unitarian Council/Unitarian Universalist Association, describing in detail the evolution and particular content of policies and procedures that address child sexual abuse complaints directed at paid and volunteer faith community representatives and/ or leaders. She identifies differences and common themes among the approaches taken by the institutions and provides a summary table for an accessible comparative overview.

Child sexual abuse is not new, but the emergence of policies to address abuse complaints within religious institutions is. This book identifies significant and shared causal factors behind the emergence of policy and reviews their content carefully. This review will serve as a significant tool for furthering the development of such policies.

1

Child Sexual Abuse in Religious Institutions

Tracy J. Trothen

Chapter 1 introduces the purpose of the book as the examination of policy evolution regarding child sexual abuse policies in the six identified religious institutions. Some relevant events in the wider Canadian context are described. Research methodology used to approach this topic is discussed. Also, an overview of the chapters is provided.

2

The Roman Catholic Church in Canada

Tracy J. Trothen

Chapter 2 examines the Roman Catholic Church in Canada and their approach to child sexual abuse, from 1960 to 2009.

3

The United Church of Canada

Tracy J. Trothen

Chapter 3 examines The United Church of Canada and their approach to child sexual abuse, from 1960 to 2009.

4

The Anglican Church in Canada

Tracy J. Trothen

Chapter 4 examines the Anglican Church in Canada and their approach to child sexual abuse, from 1960 to 2009.
5

The Mennonite Church in Canada

Tracy J. Trothen

Chapter 5 examines the Mennonite Church in Canada and their approach to child sexual abuse, from 1960 to 2009.

6

Islam in Canada

Tracy J. Trothen

Chapter 6 examines Islam in Canada and their approach to child sexual abuse, from 1960 to 2009.

7

The Canadian Unitarian Council/The Unitarian Universalist Association

Tracy J. Trothen

Chapter 7 examines The Canadian Unitarian Council/The Unitarian Universalist Association and their approach to child sexual abuse, from 1960 to 2009.

8

Gathering the Pieces

Tracy J. Trothen

Chapter 8 is the concluding chapter of the book in which some overarching themes and historical shifts experienced by the religious institutions are identified. Differences between the institutions also are named and considered.  Future directions for the selected religious institutions and for research endeavors are discussed. Immediately following this chapter is a “summary table” that identifies the “high points” of each institution’s work in the area.