Emmaus International, Emmaus France and the Abbé Pierre Foundation are releasing the third and final collection of testimonies from Groupe Egaé, which was tasked with collecting the statements of people who suffered sexual violence at the hands of Abbé Pierre.

PARIS (FRANCE)
Emmaus International [Montreuil Cedex, France]

January 13, 2025

Emmaus International, Emmaus France and the Abbé Pierre Foundation are releasing the third and final collection of testimonies from Groupe Egaé, which was tasked with collecting the statements of people who suffered sexual violence at the hands of Abbé Pierre.

The Movement wishes to thank each and every person who agreed to testify, some for the first time, about what they endured. Their courage is tremendous.

The conclusion of this task does not mean the end of the listening system, which will remain open but operate in another form as of February. Testimonies will continue to be strictly anonymous and confidential.

This final report is also an opportunity to take stock of the work carried out these past several months and all the testimonies received.

With the same transparency that the Movement has sought to demonstrate regarding these revelations, this report is freely available on the websites of our organisations. It presents 9 testimonies on sexual violence committed by Abbé Pierre, which are in addition to the 24 testimonies already published in previous reports, and it provides further information on Abbé Pierre’s behaviour.

>>> Third Egaé’s summary <<<

Following these efforts to listen to and collect testimonies, a study commission on the acts committed by Abbé Pierre, chaired by Professor Céline Béraud, will be launched this February as part of a research agreement with the Ecole des hautes études en sciences sociales (EHESS).

Although we are shocked by these revelations as well as by the grave and repetitive nature of the acts committed by our founder, the Emmaus Movement will vigorously and determinedly continue its work in service of the most vulnerable.

By initiating this serious and transparent process six months ago, the Emmaus Movement sought to give the victims of Abbé Pierre the respect they deserve and to reaffirm its commitment to the fight against sexual violence and, more broadly, against all forms of violence in our society.