Appeal for witnesses to cases of abuse at Saint-Maurice Abbey launched
Published: Monday, Jun 3rd 2024, 15:20
العودة إلى البث المباشر
The investigation into the involvement of members of Saint-Maurice Abbey in Valais in cases of sexual abuse has begun. The independent working group set up for this purpose has launched an appeal for witnesses.
The appeal is aimed at "people who have been affected by sexual abuse", as the working group announced on Monday. The aim is to find out about their experiences and the context in which the abuse took place.
We are also looking for witnesses who can provide information about how the abbey functioned or about the relationships between canons, pupils and novices. These elements should help to understand the mechanisms and conditions that facilitated or prevented the abuse. Anonymity is guaranteed.
Saint-Maurice Abbey announced in February that it had commissioned the Attorney General of the Canton of Neuchâtel, Pierre Aubert, to set up an independent working group to "shed light on the matter". Its task is to "establish facts and an overall context", but it will "not comment on individual responsibilities", the working group recalled on Monday.
Aubert is supported by the Department of Contemporary History at the University of Fribourg. The department has experience with the topic and has already carried out work in this area. Crimes that are not time-barred and have not yet been convicted, which could be discovered on this occasion, are to be reported to the judiciary at the express wish of the abbey.
The results are to be published between May and July 2025.
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