Addressing structural problems

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The Federal Government Commissioner for Abuse, Johannes-Wilhelm Rorig, accuses the Catholic Church in Germany of poor clarification of sexual abuse. The German Bishops' Conference rejected the accusations.

Reappraisal is probably still too often seen as a danger for one's own institution, Rorig explained in an interview with the Funke Mediengruppe (Friday). The attitude makes it clear how much protection of institutions and perpetrators still takes precedence over protection of victims, he says. "It must no longer be only about the protection and reputation of the church."For a corresponding study of the German Bishops' Conference, unfortunately not all dioceses would have opened their archives.

In 2014, the bishops commissioned the project "Sexual Abuse of Minors by Catholic Priests, Deacons and Male Religious in the Area of the German Bishops' Conference" to investigate cases of abuse in Germany. The results are to be presented at the end of September at the autumn plenary meeting of the bishops in Fulda. "It's not just individual cases or individual perpetrators – it's always structural problems that enable sexual violence against children and young people," Rorig said. "The Catholic Church must face up to these structural problems in Germany as well."

"Dark sides of our history"

The German Bishops' Conference rejected the accusations. The abuse commissioner, Bishop Stephan Ackermann, said in a statement to Interviewer: "Where Mr. Rorig gets the information for his assertion that not all dioceses have 'opened their archives' is beyond me. I, at least, have no clues about this."

The Pennsylvania report is shocking in its findings, Ackermann further emphasized. "It shows that we as the Catholic Church are far from finished in coming to terms with this dark side of our history as well. That's why it's good that on 25. September 2018 during the plenary assembly of the German Bishops' Conference in Fulda, the result of the large-scale research project for the area of the German Bishops' Conference is also available."

Symbolic image of child abuse © Patrick Pleul

The latest hearing of the State Abuse Commission on the handling of child sexual abuse cases by church and secular institutions has started in Sydney. "It is remarkable that so many institutions have failed".

The commission's chairman, Justice Peter McClellan, said at the start of Monday's hearing. The characteristics of the failure were often similar, he said, but there were also individual specifics.

Final report expected in December

In his view, the commission has done its job of informing the state and the public about why so many institutions have failed to prevent child abuse. Both the government and institutions should now focus on compensating victims of abuse and developing protective mechanisms so that no child is sexually abused in the future. The basis for this is to be a final report, which the commission will publish on 15. December is set to publish.

According to McClellan, since the commission began its work in September 2013, it has conducted 57 case studies over 400 public meeting days and heard 1.200 witnesses heard. In 6.500 non-public sessions, affected persons have testified before the commission. In addition, the commission had commissioned 44 scientific studies on various aspects of dealing with abuse.

Filter out risk factors

The final focus of the commission's five-day final hearing will be on the specific risk factors for sexual abuse, the extent of assaults, and the prevention measures in place today. To that end, the commission plans to hear from doctors, psychologists, child protection specialists, forensic scientists and criminal justice experts from Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the United States.

Established the commission in 2013 by the Australian government. In addition to the Catholic Church, the Anglican Church, other Christian denominations as well as other religions have had to testify before the commission on their handling of sexual abuse.

The commission also looked at abuse in sports federations, state hospitals, the Australian army and the entertainment industry.

According to the aid agency World Vision, more than 600 people have died in ten years of conflict in Syria.000 people have lost their lives and 13 million people have been displaced. The sufferers: especially children and young people.

According to the aid organization World Vision, more than 600 people have been killed in Syria in ten years of conflict.000 people lost their lives. 13 million people have been displaced, more than half the population before the war, the aid organization announced Thursday in Friedrichsdorf near Frankfurt am Main. The economic consequences of the war were estimated to be more than $1.2 trillion (1 trillion euros). Another $1.7 trillion in follow-up costs would be added by 2035 – under the most favorable condition that the war would end today.

Growing up in the war

Children and young people in particular are named as those who will suffer. Crucial damage is being done to the growing generation through lost education and health, including a 13-year reduction in life expectancy, says the report, "A price too high: the cost of conflict to Syria's children," presented by the aid agency.

Christoph Waffenschmidt, chief executive officer of World Vision Germany, spoke of staggering and intergenerational costs, saying, "Without significant, sustainable aid, children will not be able to effectively support the reconstruction of the country once the war ends."

Attacks on schools

Syria has reportedly seen the most attacks on schools and health facilities among all conflict zones. According to estimates, 82 percent of the children recruited by armed groups had to go on direct combat missions. 25 percent of the children were under 15 years old. Since the beginning of the conflict in 2011, about 55.000 children killed, some by execution or torture. Many girls are afraid of sexual violence, and child marriages have increased massively, World Vision said.

Sad anniversary

The Syrian war began in mid-March 2011 with a popular uprising against the regime of Bashar al-Assad. Security forces used force to crack down on protesters. Rebels and terrorist groups subsequently captured large parts of the country. With the help of Russia and Iran, Assad regained most of the territories. The USA, Turkey and other countries also intervened in the fighting.

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