New Research into Catholic Sexual Abuse

Radio Netherlands
February 14, 2012

http://www.rnw.nl/english/bulletin/new-research-catholic-sexual-abuse


The Deetman Commission is to conduct a follow-up investigation into sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic Church.

The new investigation will examine the fate of girls and women, wrote Minister of Security and Justice Ivo Opstelten in a letter to the Lower House of the Dutch parliament.

The research report published late last year by the Deetman Commission was not specifically restricted to boys, but the House took the view that the position of girls and women was not covered thoroughly enough. Mr Deetman recognizes that it's a good idea to examine the abuse of this group separately.

According to Mr Opstelten, Church Directors have approved the additional research. Mr Deetman thinks that it will be ready this autumn.

Former government minister Wim Deetman concluded late last year that an estimated 20,000 children have been abused in Catholic institutions. Directors of the Church covered up the abuse, and gave hardly any help to the victims.