"Foley alleges he was abused by clergyman" was the screaming caption on CNN's front page went I wandered that way this evening. If you don't recall, Mark Foley was a Florida Representative for 6 terms. He resigned on Friday after emails he was sending to teenage boys were leaked to the media. Over the weekend he admitted himself to a treatment center for alcohol abuse.
I'm a criminal justice and forensic psychology major and we've covered a lot of ground this year, particularly on psychological and criminological theories. In several classes we covered the "children who are abused grow up to be abusers" school of thought. There is validity to this statement, however, according to the Early Childhood Initiative Foundation, "very few victims grow up to become offenders" themselves (About Sexual Abuse, 2006).
Having been sexually abused myself, and knowing countless others that were in the same boat, I totally agree with that particular statement. Not a single one of us that I know has grown up to be an abuser. Now, before everyone has an absolute fit, I am not saying that it doesn't happen. I'm sure it does happen some.
However, I think more often than not, victims of sexual abuse don't become offenders themselves because sexual abuse has such a tremendous emotional and mental impact on victims and that is something they would never, under any circumstances, inflict upon another human being.
Now, having said all of that, I'm also not saying that Foley wasn't abused by his clergyman. He may very well have been... we all know how disgustingly rampant sexual abuse at the hands of a trusted clergyman is these days. I'm simply wondering if it was brought up as a way to keep from taking the blame (you know, make people feel sorry for him). I'm just wondering, so no flaming!
I mean, why would a man charged with creating law engage in a relationship of a sexual nature with multiple teenage boys? And I am especially wondering why he would do so after having been a victim of abuse himself? Did his mind simply not make the connection? Did he just not care? Did he think what he was doing was okay? We may never know the answers, but I still have to wonder.
And on a side note, if he was abused by his clergyman, that in no way excuses him for what he did. He knew right from wrong... at least anyone that is responsible for creating the laws had better know right from wrong, so that's not an excuse. The FBI is investigating the matter and I sincerely hope that anyone who knew about this entire thing prior to it being leaked is charged alongside Foley. That might tick some people off... but honestly, being in a position of authority in no way means you get to ignore the situation as a way to keep your popularity.
References:
"Foley Alleges Sexual Abuse by Clergyman" http://www.cnn.com/
About Sexual Abuse http://www.teachmorelovemore.org/HealthSafetyDetails.asp?catid=82
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