Italian Bishops Conference Reports Rise in Clerical Sex Abuse Cases
The Italian Bishops Conference (CEI) released its third report on clerical sex abuse on Wednesday, revealing that 115 individuals reported being victims of abuse in Italy between 2023 and 2024. The report detailed that among these victims, 64 were male and 51 were female. During this two-year period, there were 69 cases of alleged abuse, with 27 of those occurring within parish settings, indicating a concerning trend in the places where these abuses take place.
The total number of alleged perpetrators reached 67, predominantly clerics comprised of 44 individuals, making them the majority. The data indicates a slight increase in the number of reported cases, rising from 32 to 37 between 2023 and 2024. Notably, the report identified a troubling rise in spiritual and conscience abuse cases, which jumped from four to 17.
These findings were shared at the event titled "Protect, Prevent, Train," organized by the National Service for the Protection of Minors and Vulnerable People. This initiative aims to foster a robust network for protecting minors and vulnerable adults and is part of the Third Territorial Survey analyzing the activities of diocesan and interdiocesan services, as well as listening centers.
The analysis emphasized a growing trend in the reporting of alleged abuse, focusing particularly on different types of incidents and their respective locations. The parish emerged as the most common venue for these reported abuses. The majority of alleged victims were aged between 10 to 14 years, making up 31% of the total cases. Alarmingly, the average age of the alleged abuser has also increased—from 43 years in 2022 to 50 years in 2023-2024.
The report also sheds light on the roles of lay individuals involved in these incidents. Allegations indicated that at the time of the reports, some perpetrators were serving in various capacities, including catechists, educators, volunteers, and even religion teachers. This comprehensive overview highlights the ongoing challenges faced by the Church in addressing sexual abuse and safeguarding the welfare of children and vulnerable adults.
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