Shocking catholic sexual abuse figures

Catholic clerics have committed more than 1,000 acts of sexual abuse against children since 1950 – but a new report suggests that only a small proportion of cases have been unearthed – and the real figures could be much higher.

Researchers at the University of Zurich have been studying church archives. 

They say they’ve discovered more instances of abuse than admitted by the church. 

The vast majority of the perpetrators were men, and just over half the victims were male. 74% of the victims were children.

The project has been running for a year and covers the whole country. 

The study’s authors say the church regularly moved to protect the perpetrators and its own institution.

 

 

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