Bystandership in poweR and sExual Abuse of minors in local Catholic contexts from historical, empirical-Theological, and social psychology perspectives
PhD Project:
‘We All Knew’: A Historical, Empirical-Theological Study of Bystandership in Cases of Transgressive Behavior Towards Minors Within Flemish Church Contexts
Team
Leen Deflem (PhD candidate)
Dries Bosschaert (supervisor)
Annemie Dillen (co-supervisor)
Vera Hoorens (co-supervisor)
Project duration
2022-2026
Funding body
Private funder
Research topics
Abuse crisis church
Bystandership
Church history
Approaches
Oral history
More than 10 years after the strong awareness of sexual abuse in the Belgian catholic church and the continued publication of disconcerting research reports, sensitivity to the prevention and awareness of transgressive behaviour in a broad church context is still limited. This doctoral research focuses on the study of (active / passive) bystandership in cases of (verbal, physical and sexual) transgressive behaviour of adults towards minors within Flemish catholic contexts (1950-1989). Through oral history, including semi-structured interviews, it seeks to understand the possible (theological) motivations of individuals who, as bystanders, witnessed transgressive behaviour within catholic Flemish contexts in the past (1960-1989). The research results from the historical study will be compared with the vision and experiences of persons who are active within the Belgian catholic church today. By focusing on bystandership, this study aims at a holistic approach of transgressive behaviour that is not only a matter between perpetrator and survivor, but where bystanders play an equally important role.
Call for respondents: For her research, Leen Deflem is still looking for respondents who want to participate in an (anonymous) interview and are willing to talk about their own experiences and memories as active or passive bystanders. Feel free to contact her for more information.
Science outreach: Radio interview by Leen Deflem during the program ‘De Wereld van Sofie’ (on the Flemish broadcasting channel: ‘Radio 1’).
Science outreach: Safeguarding materials in Dutch, ‘REACT gespreksmethodiek voor lokale gemeenschappen’.
Science outreach: Safeguarding materials in English, ‘Conversation methodology for local communities’.
Processes of Agency, Negotiation and Identity Construction: Lived Religion and LGBTQ+ in relation to Catholic Norms and Practices in Europe from Historical, Ethical and Practical Theological Perspectives 