Bishops’ Conference

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On the first day of the summer plenary assembly of the Austrian Bishops’ Conference, the Bishops — gathered at the Marian shrine in Mariazell since yesterday — have met with the representatives of the Independent Victim Protection Commission and the Church Victim Protection Foundation to discuss abuse prevention and victim protection. The afternoon of study in Mariazell was attended by independent victim protection lawyer Waltraud Klasnic, from whom the Commission, and the members of the Commission and the Foundation take their common name. As of 31 May 2025, the Independent Victim Protection Commission has decided on 3,492 cases since 2010. In 3,214 cases, the decision was favourable to the victims. The Catholic Church has collected all information on measures, regulations and guidelines against abuse and violence in the church sector on its website. In total, 3,640 victims of physical and/or sexual violence were involved, of whom 2,271 were men (62.4%) and 1,369 were women (37.6%). To date, €37.7 million has been paid to the victims, including €29.79 million in financial aid and €7.91 million for therapy. The Church has implemented all the decisions made by the “Klasnic Commission”. Most accidents which occurred mainly in the 60s and 70s are barred by the statute of limitations. 11.7% occurred in the 80s, 4.8% in the 90s, and 1.8% since 2000. 80% of those affected reported suffering psychological violence, 79% physical violence, 27% sexual violence, and 11% physical and sexual violence, with multiple responses possible.

Fonte: Agensir