Clergy Assault Statistics Revail Shocking Numbers
CLERGYsafe Survey found in March 2006:
48% of all clergy had suffered from some form of violence in the last 12 months;
52% of female clergy had suffered from some form of violence in the last 12 months;
45% of male clergy had suffered from some form of violence in the last 12 months;
40% of all clergy had between 2 and 5 violent incidents in the last 12 months;
7% of all clergy had suffered more than 5 incidents in the last 12 months;
- Swearing, Shouting and Name calling
The most common form of violence was swearing, shouting and name calling;
There were 37 incidents of swearing at a total of 19 (36%) clergy, there were 31 incidents of shouting at 20 (40%)clergy and 15 inci- dents of name calling to 9 (1.8%) clergy; There was one incidence of spitting and one incidence of e mail abuse;
- Assaults
8 (15%) of all clergy had suffered from violence which resulted in injury. These 8 clergy had suffered a total of 10 violent incidents. Most assaults were a punch/kick resulting in actual bodily harm (7 incidents).
One member of the clergy had been bitten, one was cut with a knife (minor) and one vicar reported his vicarage being shot at with a machine gun (no injury).
5 of the assaults occurred in the street (50%), 4 occurred at the vicarage (40%) and one assault occurred at the church (10%).
CLERGYsafe Survey March 2006: Number of clergy questioned: 52; Age range of clergy: 32 years old to 70 years old; Average age: 49 years old; Male Clergy: 33; Female Clergy: 19; Average length of ordination: 12 yrs.
Source: „A Book of Personal Safety for Clergy“ by Nick Tolson, 2006, for further information visit the website, www.nationalchurchwatch.com