Salesians of Don Bosco expand investigation of historical abuse

The German province of the Salesians of Don Bosco has commissioned an independent academic study to analyze sexual abuse and other forms of violence against minors. A research team from the LMU Munich and the Jena University Hospital will investigate such abuses in the establishments of the said religious order during the period of 1945 to 2023. The order is thus fulfilling the requirement for an independent evaluation of sexualized violence that was jointly agreed by the German religious orders and the Federal Government’s abuse commissioner in 2021.

Historical and psychosocial analysis

“With this study, we’re continuing the analysis of cases we began internally, in which we looked at how young people in our care suffered violence from order members, staff, or volunteers. We want to use the findings in particular to further improve our safeguarding and prevention structures,” Provincial Superior Reinhard Gesing points out. The newly launched investigation consists of two closely cooperating subprojects: a church historical analysis and a psychosocial study. It will be conducted over the course of two years and will be overseen by an interdisciplinary advisory board, which will include survivors.

The primary starting point for the inquiries will be the statements of victims already in the possession of the order, including those of people who have sought redress through the official Recognition of Suffering procedure. “For a systematic analysis, we’re also evaluating historical documents. To this end, we’re receiving unrestricted access to the order’s archives,” says church historian Professor Klaus Unterburger, who is supervising the historical part of the investigation at LMU’s Chair of Medieval and Modern Church History.

Online platform for victims and witnesses

An online platform at the Institute for Psychosocial Medicine, Psychotherapy, and Psycho-Oncology at Jena University Hospital will additionally give victims, witnesses, and other parties the opportunity to relate their experiences – anonymously if they prefer – to the study team. “We’re conducting interviews with victims, staff, and witnesses,” says leader of the psychosocial study, Professor Bernhard Strauß. “Their perspectives will play a key role in all phases of the research process. On top of this, we’re planning to survey staff on existing prevention measures.”

In addition to the historical analysis and reappraisal and the evaluation of the order’s existing prevention measures, the study will also advise on how to make these measures better. In this way, the study will help identify structural deficits and lay out recommendations for the improvement of future safeguarding and prevention concepts.

Online platform: www.uniklinikum-jena.de/DonBosco.html