Cycle of Abuse: How Church Victims Became Perpetrators

A ProPublica investigation uncovers how children sexually abused in one church began abusing other kids, with some continuing the pattern into adulthood, exposing deep failures in protection and accountability.

The report details harrowing cases where young victims of abuse within a religious community turned to abusing peers and younger children. Trauma from early assaults left lasting psychological scars that fueled the cycle, often without intervention or support from church leaders.

Investigators found that some survivors carried the abuse into their adult lives, targeting new victims in similar settings. Church officials frequently mishandled reports, prioritizing reputation over safety and allowing patterns to persist unchecked for years.

The findings call for stronger safeguards, mandatory reporting reforms, and trauma-informed care to break such cycles. Public awareness of these hidden dynamics remains essential to protect future generations from institutional failures.