Behind the Sacred Facade: Exploring the Psychological Determinants of Child Sexual Abuse in Religious Institutions in Pakistan

Abstract

The study explores the aspects of child sexual abuse (CSA) in religious settings in Pakistan that relate to psychology. A qualitative, phenomenological research design was used to understand how the participants understand the phenomena related to CSA, based on their experiences and perceptions. Data were collected through interviews and focus group discussions with five participant groups, including the accused, the families of victims, medical professionals, psychologists, police officers working on the case, and teachers and administrators at Madaris. The final sample consisted of 35 individual interviews and eight focus group discussions. From the thematic analysis, four major psychological categories were identified: personality and psychopathology, behavioral patterns, emotional and cognitive processes, and developmental history. Emotional and cognitive processes were identified as the most important categories with rationalization and repression of sexual drives, loneliness, and social isolation, moral disengagement, and shame and guilt cycles. Personality and psychopathology represented cognitive distortions, emotional immaturity, and a lack of impulse control, with narcissistic and antisocial behaviors and interests, and deviant sexual interests. Developmental history represented a traumatic past, abuse, difficulties of attachment, exposure to sexual content at an early age, neglect and failure to supervise appropriately at an early age, and a lack of appropriate supervision. Behavioral patterns included grooming, gradual crossing of boundaries, and a power-oriented behavior of high risk and secrecy. The overall findings suggest that CSA should not be explained by a single dimension of psychology, but should be framed by an integrated view of cognitive, emotional, personality, developmental, and behavioral dimensions. The findings have the potential to generate context specific qualitative data. It also has the potential to inform psychological assessment, improve safeguarding efforts and provide the required oversight, improve training, and develop confidential reporting systems and policies to protect children in religious institutions in Pakistan.

Keywords:        Child sexual abuse; Psychological determinants; Religious institutions; Phenomenology; Cognitive distortions; Moral disengagement; Grooming behavior; Pakistan.