{"id":2159714,"date":"2024-01-25T21:32:02","date_gmt":"2024-01-26T02:32:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-at-least-2220-victims-of-sexual-abuse-in-germanys-churches\/"},"modified":"2024-01-25T21:35:50","modified_gmt":"2024-01-26T02:35:50","slug":"report-at-least-2220-victims-of-sexual-abuse-in-germanys-churches","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/report-at-least-2220-victims-of-sexual-abuse-in-germanys-churches\/","title":{"rendered":"Over 2,220 victims of sexual abuse in German churches, report finds"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">22<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Freport-at-least-2220-victims-of-sexual-abuse-in-germanys-churches%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2159714&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p><!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC \"-\/\/W3C\/\/DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional\/\/EN\" \"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/TR\/REC-html40\/loose.dtd\"><br \/>\n<?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><html><body><\/p>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">(Photo by Frank Hoensch\/Getty \u200cImages)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<h2>OAN\u2019s Abril Elfi<\/h2>\n<h3>6:30 PM \u2013\u2062 Thursday, January 25, 2024<\/h3>\n<p>A shocking report reveals that more\u200c than 2,220 individuals in Germany have fallen victim to sexual abuse by church staff or members. This disturbing revelation comes from an independent study released on\u200d Thursday, which\u200c examined records and correspondence from German churches and Diakonie, a Lutheran\u2063 diaconal relief and social welfare agency.<\/p>\n<div id=\"div-gpt-ad-1663871513696-art-3\" style=\"min-width: 320px; min-height: 50px; text-align: center;\">  \t<script>  \t\tgoogletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-1663871513696-art-3'); });  \t<\/script>  <\/div>\n<div class=\"ad-slot__ad-label\">Advertisement<\/div>\n<\/p>\n<p>The study found that at least 2,225 victims have suffered \u2062sexual abuse over the past few\u2063 decades, perpetrated by 1,259 individuals associated with German churches. However, the \u200bauthors of the report acknowledge that their\u2062 examination was limited to disciplinary files and did not include personnel files of every bishop, priest, or deacon.\u2063 Therefore, the\u2062 actual number of abusers could be \u2063much higher.<\/p>\n<p>Martin Wazlawik of Hannover University, who\u200d led the study, described the findings as \u200b&#8221;the tip of the tip\u2063 of the iceberg,&#8221; suggesting that the \u200bextent \u2064of sexualized \u2064violence in German\u200d churches is \u200bfar greater than what has been uncovered.<\/p>\n<p>The study was funded by 3.6 million euros ($3.92 million) from an unnamed church, with the aim of investigating abuse-of-power. The EKD,\u200c an umbrella organization representing 19.2 million Christians in \u2063Germany, expressed sincere apologies to the victims during the study&#8217;s presentation in Hannover.<\/p>\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote\">\n<p>\u201cAs an institution, we \u2064have also been guilty \u2063of countless crimes against countless people,\u201d said Hamburg Bishop Kirsten Fehrs. She expressed deep \u2062shock at the overall picture presented by the study and emphasized the\u2063 church&#8217;s commitment to accepting the \u2063results with humility.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>Stay informed! Subscribe here to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/xi-jinping-and-vladimir-putin-meet-in-kremlin\/\" title=\"Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin meet in Kremlin\">receive breaking news blasts directly<\/a> to your inbox for free: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.oann.com\/alerts\">https:\/\/www.oann.com\/alerts<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n<div id=\"rc-widget-10bad2\" data-rc-widget data-widget-host=\"habitat\" data-endpoint=\"\/\/trends.revcontent.com\" data-widget-id=\"278641\"><\/div>\n<p class=\"dpsp-share-text\" style=\"margin-bottom:10px\"> \t\t \t\tShare this post!\t<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Iranian-backed Houthis\u200c do not seem deterred by the message \u2064the U.S. is sending to stop them from further attacks in the Red Sea. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>GOP Governors stand with Governor Abbott against the Biden Administration, Peter \u2064Navarro is sentenced, and \u200ballegations are leveled against Vince McMahon.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Donald Trump has declared that he has already won Nevada in the Republican Primary process.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>President Donald Trump and his team have turned their eyes towards Nevada and South Carolina after winning the New\u2062 Hampshire primary. <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Microsoft will\u2063 let go of 1,900 employees at Activision Blizzard and Xbox this week.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Tesla tumbled nearly 11% on\u2064 Thursday after \u200bCEO Elon Musk \u200cwarned \u200bsales growth\u2062 would slow this year despite price cuts.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Tesla has \u200btold suppliers it wants \u2063to start production \u200bof a\u200b new mass market electric vehicle codenamed \u201cRedwood.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<div class=\"entry-content\">\n<p>Legacy automakers are leaning on their Formula E <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/turkish-parliament-approves-swedens-nato-entry-now-awaiting-erdogans-signature\/\" title=\"Turkish Parliament greenlights Sweden's NATO entry, awaiting Erdogan's approval\">electric \u200dracing teams<\/a> to build better EVs with greater range and\u2064 efficiency, or a lower price tag.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p> rnrn  <\/p>\n<h2> What steps can \u2062the church take to provide \u2062support services and justice to survivors of sexual abuse within religious institutions?<\/h2>\n<p><span>  That the church must take\u200d decisive action to address this issue.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<p>It is\u200b a stark \u200creminder that sexual abuse \u200bwithin\u2063 religious institutions \u200dis a global problem\u200b that extends\u200c beyond any particular faith or country. In recent\u2062 years, there have \u200dbeen\u200b numerous reports of sexual abuse by clergy in various parts \u200cof \u200bthe world, including scandals within the Catholic Church and Jehovah&#8217;s Witnesses. This study in Germany serves as a\u200b wake-up call for all religious organizations to confront this \u2063issue head-on.<\/p>\n<p>One of the key findings of the study is the \u200black of accountability and transparency within German churches. The authors highlighted the failure of church authorities \u200dto properly document and address cases of sexual abuse, allowing abusers to continue\u2063 their actions unchecked. This not only perpetuates the cycle of abuse but also undermines the trust and faith of the community in the\u200b church.<\/p>\n<p>The study also \u2062revealed the\u2063 devastating effects \u200cof sexual abuse on the victims. The \u200csurvivors shared stories of trauma, shame, and \u2064the long-lasting impact\u200d that the abuse \u2062had on their lives.\u200d Many expressed\u2063 frustration\u2062 and anger at the lack of support \u200dand justice they received from the church.<\/p>\n<p>In light of these findings, it\u2063 is imperative for \u200dGerman churches and similar institutions worldwide to take immediate\u2063 and concrete steps\u2063 to address this issue. This includes \u2062implementing comprehensive \u200cpolicies and procedures to \u200bprevent and respond \u200dto sexual abuse, \u200destablishing \u2063independent oversight \u200dand review mechanisms, and providing support services for victims.<\/p>\n<p>Equally important is the need for\u2063 the church to acknowledge its failings and actively\u2063 seek reconciliation with the\u200b survivors. This \u2064includes \u2063offering sincere apologies, facilitating therapeutic and\u200c counseling services, and\u200b <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/consulting-firm-mckinsey-to-pay-230-million-in-latest-us-opioid-settlements\/\" title=\"McKinsey consulting firm to pay 0M in recent US opioid settlements.\">providing financial compensation<\/a> to \u2062the victims.<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, there must be a commitment to \u2064accountability and transparency. Church authorities must conduct\u2063 thorough investigations into allegations of sexual abuse, cooperate \u2064fully with \u200blaw enforcement agencies, and ensure that perpetrators\u2063 are held \u200daccountable for their\u2064 actions.<\/p>\n<p>Furthermore, it is crucial for the wider society to support and empower \u2062survivors of sexual \u200dabuse within religious institutions. This involves creating \u200bsafe spaces\u2064 for survivors to speak out, raising\u200c awareness about \u2063the \u2062issue, and advocating for legal and policy reforms that prioritize the protection of \u200cvulnerable individuals.<\/p>\n<p>The findings\u2063 of\u200c this \u2063study in Germany should serve as a\u200d wake-up call for all religious organizations, \u200dregardless of denomination or country. Sexual abuse within religious \u200dinstitutions is a \u2064grave violation\u2063 of trust\u200c and a\u2063 betrayal of the fundamental principles of faith and ethics. It is the responsibility \u200bof every\u2063 religious leader,\u200b member, and community to actively work towards eradicating this scourge \u2064and ensuring that all individuals can practice their faith in a\u2064 safe and nurturing environment.<\/p>\n<p>The study in Germany has shed\u200b light\u200d on \u2062the\u2062 extent of sexual \u2062abuse within \u2064the church, \u200cbut it is just the beginning. It \u200bis now up to \u2064all stakeholders \u2064to come\u200b together \u200cand take decisive action \u2062to bring about lasting\u2064 change.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<p><\/body><\/html><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A recent report reveals that in Germany, church staff or members have allegedly sexually abused over 2,220 individuals. An independent study released on Thursday discloses that at least 2,225 victims have suffered from these assaults<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2196,"featured_media":2159715,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[542],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2159714","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-oann"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/cndimages.nyc3.digitaloceanspaces.com\/breaking-news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/01\/IMG_2758-scaled-1.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2159714","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2196"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2159714"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2159714\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2159715"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2159714"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2159714"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2159714"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}