Investigative Report: Liberal vs. Conservative Policies on Feminism and Sexual Abuse – A Catholic Theological Perspective

Authored by: Dr. Anthony Perlas, PhD in Religious Studies and Comparative Politics
Date of Publication: February 8, 2026
Published on: LatinMassSociety.online

Abstract

This investigative report examines the intersection of political ideologies—liberalism versus conservatism—with feminism and policies addressing sexual abuse. It is framed through a traditional Catholic theological lens, exploring the potential “darker” implications of certain liberal and feminist currents from a conservative and ecclesial perspective. The analysis includes documented timelines of Catholic Church sexual abuse scandals, media coverage patterns, Catholic doctrine on the devil’s opposition to priests and the Traditional Latin Mass, the theology of sanctifying grace and confession, and St. Thomas Aquinas’s teachings on the relationship between sin and the intellect. All claims are sourced from peer-reviewed studies, official Church documents, court records, and reputable journalism. The report maintains a non-biased, evidence-based stance while emphasizing the gravity of sins such as child pornography, molestation, and abuse. It concludes with a call for renewed critical thinking among the faithful, inspired by the intellectual rigor of St. Thomas Aquinas, without in any way excusing or minimizing grave moral wrongdoing.

1. Liberal vs. Conservative Policies on Feminism in the United States

Liberal and conservative ideologies diverge sharply on the meaning and implementation of feminism. Liberals typically view feminism as a broad movement for individual autonomy, reproductive rights, workplace equity, and the dismantling of patriarchal structures. This perspective aligns with Enlightenment values of personal freedom and systemic reform. Key liberal-supported policies include:

• Affirmative action and Title IX enforcement
• Paid family leave mandates
• Expansion of reproductive healthcare access
• Support for the Equal Rights Amendment (historically pushed in the 1970s–1980s)

Conservatives, by contrast, generally affirm equality under the law but prioritize traditional family structures, religious liberty, and merit-based advancement. They often oppose mandates perceived as infringing on conscience rights (e.g., employer-provided contraception under the Affordable Care Act, as ruled in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby, 2014). Recent data shows widening ideological gender gaps: 40% of women aged 18–29 identify as liberal (Gallup 2024), and 61% of Gen Z women self-identify as feminist (American Survey Center 2023).

Non-biased contrast: Liberals emphasize structural change to correct historical inequities; conservatives advocate organic equality within traditional frameworks, warning that aggressive liberal feminism may contribute to family fragmentation and declining birth rates.

2. Liberal vs. Conservative Approaches to Sexual Abuse Laws and Policies

Approaches to sexual abuse reveal deep ideological differences:

Liberal policies focus on victim-centered justice, extended statutes of limitations (e.g., California AB 1619, 2019), mandatory reporting, and survivor empowerment. The Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act (EFAA, 2022) voids predispute arbitration clauses in misconduct cases. Research consistently shows liberals exhibit lower acceptance of victim-blaming myths and higher support for affirmative consent laws.

Conservative policies emphasize deterrence through harsher criminal penalties, protection of due process, and defense of clergy-penitent privilege as a matter of religious freedom. Conservatives have historically supported enhanced sentencing for child sexual offenses and oppose what they see as overreach in mandatory reporting that could violate confessional confidentiality.

Non-biased contrast: Liberals prioritize systemic prevention and victim access to justice; conservatives stress punishment, moral accountability, and institutional protections. Bipartisan legislation (e.g., EFAA) demonstrates areas of convergence.

3. The “Darker” Aspects of Liberalism and Feminism – Conservative & Catholic Critiques

From a conservative Catholic viewpoint, certain strands of liberalism and radical feminism are critiqued for promoting radical individualism, secular pluralism, and the erosion of natural law and family structures. Critics argue that:

• Liberal emphasis on autonomy can lead to moral relativism and societal loneliness (particularly among young women).
• Feminism’s rejection of gender complementarity contradicts Catholic anthropology (equal dignity but distinct roles).
• Secular liberal policies sometimes marginalize religious voices in public life.

Proponents of liberalism and feminism counter that these frameworks have liberated millions from oppression and advanced human dignity. A growing movement of “conservative feminism” seeks to reconcile women’s empowerment with traditional values.

4. Catholic Church Sexual Abuse Scandals – Timeline & Media Coverage (1950s–2025)

• 1950s–