The claim that individuals are “100 times more likely” to be sexually assaulted in public schools than in churches is based on a statement by Dr. Charol Shakeshaft, an education researcher. In her 2004 report for the U.S. Department of Education, she reviewed existing literature on educator sexual misconduct and estimated that nearly 10% of U.S. public school students had experienced some form of sexual misconduct by school employees. She suggested that the incidence of such abuse in public schools is likely more than 100 times that by Catholic priests. (Diocese of Camden, Wikipedia)
However, it’s important to note that this comparison has been subject to criticism. Critics argue that Shakeshaft’s analysis grouped together a wide range of behaviors—from inappropriate comments to serious sexual abuse—without distinguishing between them. Additionally, the data sources and methodologies used to assess abuse in public schools and religious institutions differ significantly, making direct comparisons challenging.
In contrast, the John Jay Report, commissioned by the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, found that approximately 4% of Catholic priests were accused of sexual abuse of minors between 1950 and 2002. This report focused specifically on substantiated allegations of abuse. (Wikipedia)
In summary, while Dr. Shakeshaft’s statement highlights concerns about sexual misconduct in public schools, the “100 times more likely” figure is a rough estimate based on disparate data sources and methodologies. Therefore, it should be interpreted with caution.(Diocese of Camden)