In order to provide comprehensive and long-term information on child sexual abuse, the “Independent Commission for Understanding Child Sexual Abuse” called on politicians to put the commission's work on a legal basis. Processing continues and the rights of those affected need to be strengthened.
The President of the IG for People Affected by Abuse, Vreni Peterer, spoke about the positive developments on the topic of abuse in the Church in Switzerland. Since …
After four and a half years of work, the commission presented on Tuesday the report of its second period of activity in Berlin. During this period, she brought the issue of sexual violence in childhood and youth into the public eye in areas that had previously received little attention, such as sports, schools, pedophile rings, women as perpetrators and others. In sport, for example, this has led to new developments, according to committee members.
However, there is still much to do. Areas such as schools were barely addressed. That is why we once again appeal to politicians to provide a legal basis for the commission's work. “The law should also strengthen the rights of affected people to prosecute the matter, especially to inspect files. It must also ensure that the treatment is a permanent task of the institutions. “The reevaluation doesn’t stop,” says constitutional lawyer Stephan Rixen, who is a member of the commission. The government has not yet presented any bill.
Social scientist Barbara Kavemann especially thanked those affected who supported the commission's work with their statements. “They expect recognition of the injustice that has happened to them, but combine this with a clear mandate that the State and its structures take responsibility and better protect children and young people.” Society must not be satisfied with what has been achieved so far. Accepting child sexual abuse is a social learning process that must be continued.
The commission, which was convened in 2016, is investigating at federal level the extent, type and consequences of sexual violence against children and young people in the Federal Republic of Germany and the GDR since 1949. The commission's work has so far been extended twice by the Federal Cabinet, most recently until the end of 2025. According to its own information, the commission until the end of 2023, heard more than 2,600 reports from affected people and contemporary witnesses. There were also numerous events, publications and recommendations for reevaluation processes in institutions.
(afternoon – www)