Public Perception and Trust in U.S. Religious Institutions Post-Abuse Scandals: Implications for Prevention and the Recovery of Credibility

This article examines the impact of sexual abuse scandals on public perception and trust in religious institutions in the United States, with a particular focus on the Catholic Church and other Christian denominations. Through a mixed-method approach combining public opinion surveys, media content analysis, institutional reform reviews, and comparative case studies, the study identifies the social, legal, and communicative consequences of these abuses and their systematic cover-ups. The data reveal a profound erosion of public trust: only 32% of Americans currently express confidence in religious organizations, with a steeper decline among younger generations. The article also explores the institutional strategies adopted to rebuild credibility, ranging from reforms such as the “Dallas Charter†to public communication campaigns and legislative changes regarding mandatory reporting. Additionally, the article analyzes relevant legal precedents, tensions between religious freedom and child protection, and international experiences from countries such as Australia, Germany, Chile, and Ireland. It concludes that the restoration of trust cannot be achieved without structural transformations, transparency, and justice. The U.S. experience provides replicable lessons for other nations facing similar crises.