The #Me Too Movement in Latin American nuns and ex-nuns

ANA LOURDES SUAREZ

San Diego

Congreso; Congreso Anual de la American Academy of Religion; 2019

The paper focuses on nuns and ex-nuns (sisters) that have been sexually abused either by priests or by other sisters (typically one in a superior position in the community structure). The abuse of priests over women religious, and the abuse between women religious, have been taking place since long time ago. It is framed within the structure of abuse of power that characterizes very hierarchical and patriarchal institutions, such as the Catholic Church. What is new is that the victims have begun to denounce their abuses, breaking the silence and defying the culture of secrecy and cover-up that protected those who abused them. Why are they now breaking their silence? This is the question I addressed in my presentation