Paris: An estimated 330,000 children have been sexually assaulted in the Catholic Church in France over the past 70 years. This has been disclosed in a report released on Tuesday by an independent commission. Jean-Marc Sauve, the chairman of the commission that released the report, said the estimate was based on scientific research. This includes cases of persecution by clergy and church-affiliated people and other individuals. Sauve said that 80 percent of the victims of harassment were boys while the rest were girls.
The chairman of the commission said, “The consequences of this are very serious. Nearly 60 percent of children and girls who have been sexually assaulted have to face emotional and many other complications in later life. This 2500-page document has been prepared by an independent commission because such shameful incidents within the Catholic Church in France and other countries have been hidden for a long time. The report said that of the estimated 3,000 people who abused children, two-thirds were clergy. Sauve said the number of children who have been persecuted by pastors or others affiliated with the church could be as many as 2,16,000.
The organization ‘Parlor et Revivere’ (Speak Out Open and Live Again) assisted the commission in this investigation. The organization’s head, Olivier Savignac, said the high proportion of persecutors and victims is “horrifying for the Catholic Church, especially for French society.” The commission worked for two years, recording the statements of victims, eyewitnesses and studying cases that came to light in the church, court, police, and media since the 1950s.
At the beginning of the investigation, a special helpline was also started on which information about the victim or him could be given. During this period, more than 6500 people gave information to the commission over the phone. Sauve also criticized the church’s stance on these harassment cases before 2000, saying victims were discriminated against and viewed with suspicion for the incident. The French archbishop said in a message on Sunday that the report was “a test of truth and a difficult and serious moment for all.” It was also said that after studying the findings of the report, steps would be taken.
