16: Clergy Penitent Privilege: The Hidden Costs of Religious Freedom

In this episode of The Abuse Stops Here Podcast, we unpack the clergy–penitent privilege debate - a legal protection that often allows religious leaders to withhold information about abuse disclosed in confession or counseling. While many see this privilege as sacred, it has also been used to shield abusers and silence survivors. We’ll explore the history of this law, the harm it continues to cause, and why advocates are pushing for reform to prioritize child safety over institutional secrecy. This episode asks tough but necessary questions about faith, accountability, and what true protection should look like.

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