Study Reveals Extensive Sexual Abuse in the Protestant Church in Germany

A new report, the first of its kind, reveals that the prevalence of sexual abuse in the Protestant Church in Germany (EKD) is significantly higher than previously known. The independent study, commissioned by the EKD in 2020 for around €3.6 million, has uncovered that at least 1,259 perpetrators committed sexual abuse against 2,174 victims since the end of World War II. This number is a substantial increase from the 900 cases previously recorded.

The Scope of the Investigation

The study, led by Martin Wazlawik, a professor of social studies at Hanover University, meticulously reviewed approximately 4,300 disciplinary files, 780 personal files, and over 1,300 additional documents. It’s notable for providing the first nationwide figures and analysis of structural causes of abuse within the church and its deaconry. By comparison, a similar study of the Catholic Church in 2018 examined around 38,000 files.

Findings of the Report

The researchers estimate that around 9,355 children and young people have suffered abuse at the hands of almost 3,500 perpetrators, a third of whom were clergy members. However, these numbers should be approached with caution due to unavailable files and incomplete data. The study reveals that about 64.7% of victims and 99.6% of perpetrators were male, with the nature of abuse ranging from inappropriate physical contact to sexual assault.

Institutional Response and Apology

Bishop Kirsten Fehr, EKD council chair, has expressed remorse and asked for forgiveness, acknowledging that the church’s structures have protected perpetrators. The report has prompted calls for further investigation and uniform systems for handling abuse cases, as the federal structure of the Protestant Church has been a barrier to comprehensive research.

The Voices of the Victims

Victims’ spokesperson Detlev Zander has criticized the study for only examining confirmed on-the-record cases and not having access to all personal files. He calls for a more unified approach to investigating abuse within the church.

The Bigger Picture

The revelations in the Protestant Church come in the wake of a similar study in the Catholic Church in Germany, which uncovered 3,677 cases of sexual abuse by around 1,670 members of the clergy between 1946 and 2014. This led to the “Synodal Path,” a series of discussions on how to address these findings.

The Protestant Church in Germany faces a momentous challenge in addressing the extensive and historical issue of sexual abuse within its ranks. The EKD is urged to take decisive action to rectify past wrongs, support victims, and implement preventative measures to ensure such abuses never recur. The report serves as a critical step in acknowledging and confronting a painful chapter in the church’s history.