Spain finally confronted with sexual abuse in the Catholic Church: more than 200,000 victims recorded
Spain, a country with a strong Catholic tradition, has long faced a taboo regarding sexual abuse committed within the Catholic Church. However, an independent commission recently revealed that more than 200,000 people were victims of these attacks when they were minors. This investigation, the first of its kind in the country, was carried out to lift the veil on this painful reality.
The report submitted to the Congress of Spanish Deputies highlights alarming figures. According to a survey of more than 8,000 people, around 0.6% of the Spanish adult population were victims of sexual assault by clerics when they were minors, or nearly 39 million people. In addition, a slightly lower number (0.53%) would have suffered attacks from lay people working within religious institutions.
These figures cause deep consternation in the country. Unlike other countries such as France, Germany, Ireland and the United States, Spain has never carried out an independent investigation into these abuses within the Catholic Church. However, Spanish MPs decided in March 2022 to set up a commission of experts responsible for shedding light on these heinous acts and finding solutions to prevent new cases.
This report also highlights the insufficient attitude of the Catholic Church in the face of these abuses. The report recommends in particular the creation by the State of a fund aimed at paying reparations to victims. It also highlights the need to take measures to prevent new cases and to determine responsibilities in cases of sexual violence.
The Spanish Catholic Church, which had long refused any in-depth investigation, announced that it would hold an extraordinary plenary assembly to discuss this report. Although she did not participate in the work of the commission, she nevertheless provided information on cases of child abuse collected by the dioceses. In February 2022, the Spanish Church launched its own external audit, but the results of this audit are not expected to be published until the end of the year.
This independent investigation marks a turning point in the fight against sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in Spain. It gives victims a voice and highlights an often hidden reality. Hopefully these revelations will raise collective awareness and lead to concrete measures to prevent such abuses in the future.