The Good, The Bad and the Ugly: Can the Legal System Bring Justice to Survivors of Sexual Abuse in Spiritual Communities?

Abstract

In this piece, Carol Merchasin reflects on her work as a lawyer investigating allegations of sexual misconduct and abuse in American Buddhist communities over a six-year period. She identifies the different barriers victim-survivors face in seeking accountability and justice such as victim-blaming, institutional deflection and structural bias in the legal system. She discusses why victim-survivors seek justice in the civil law system and how it can play an important role in their healing process. She also notes the importance of lawyers being trauma-informed and survivor-centered.