Study on Addressing Sexualized Violence in the Diocese of Augsburg

A clinical psychological study as part of the investigation into the abuse of children and young people in the Diocese of Augsburg: Sexualised violence against minors in the context of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Augsburg: Psychological stress throughout life, interpersonal factors and transgenerational effects

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To download the press release, please click here:

Press release (November 2023) (PDF, 298 KB)

General information

In fall 2023, the Department of Psychology at Ludwig Maximilian University in Munich launched a study entitled "Sexualized Violence Against Minors in the Context of the Catholic Church in the Diocese of Augsburg." The study focuses on victims, whose participation in the study design and the study itself is fundamental. The study not only examines the effects of sexualized violence on the lives of victims, but also looks at the impact on their families.

The research project was initiated and is being supported by the Independent Review Commission and the Independent Advisory Board for Victims in the Diocese of Augsburg. As part of the review of sexualized violence in the church environment in the Diocese of Augsburg, the psychological study will examine the consequences that the experiences had for the victims in the course of their lives. Building on the studies conducted in Germany to date as part of the investigation process, which have already contributed greatly to clarifying the situation of those affected and provided important insights into the acts and their institutional framework, this study will now focus in particular on the perspectives, experiences, and mental health of those affected and their relatives.

The study design follows a participatory approach, which means that those affected—represented by the advisory board of affected persons—developed the study together with the researchers (with regard to research objectives, suitable questionnaires, and the content of the planned interviews). The Diocese of Augsburg is funding the study over a period of two years through a grant agreement with LMU Munich; church tax funds are not being used. In this grant agreement, the project commits itself to the freedom of science enshrined in the German Basic Law and to the exclusive pursuit of scientific knowledge. The results obtained will be published freely, regardless of their outcome.

A central focus is on developmental psychology and transgenerational aspects: in addition to the question of how those affected perceive the psychosocial consequences of their experiences for themselves, the study will examine whether and how these experiences may also have affected their relationships, possible parenthood, and then their children. If those affected agree, their partners, adult children, or other close persons will also be interviewed. In addition to the interviews in the first part of the project, the findings will be supplemented and expanded in a second part by means of an online survey. This anonymous online survey will also enable us to reach those affected who do not wish to participate in personal interviews or who may not have confided in anyone yet.
This applies to all persons who, during their childhood or youth (up to the age of 21), experienced any form of sexual harassment, abuse, or violence in the church environment or by clergy, religious, or lay persons in the parish in the Diocese of Augsburg—regardless of the severity or how long ago the experience occurred and whether they have spoken about it before.

Project management LMU

Prof. Dr. Corinna Reck

Head of the Teaching and Research Unit

Professor | Head of the University Outpatient Clinic | Head of MUNIK

Send an email

+49 89 2180-5154

+49 (0) 89 / 2180 - 5153

Dr. Dipl.-Soz.päd. Alexandra von Tettenborn

Academic Advisor

Child and Adolescent Psychotherapist (VT) | Deputy Head of the University Outpatient Clinic

Dr. Dipl.-Psych. Mitho Müller

Research assistant

Send an email

+49 (0) 89 / 2180 - 5162

+49 (0) 89 / 2180 - 5153

Prof. Dr. Tobias Schuwerk

Senior Academic Advisor

Psychological Psychotherapist (VT, PP and KJP)

Contact

For further information, please contact the LMU study team by email at
LMU-Aufarbeitungsstudie@psy.lmu.deoderor by phone at 089/2180-5160.

In addition, the Independent Advisory Board for Victims in the Diocese of Augsburg or the Independent Review Commission can also be contacted:
betroffenenbeirat@aufarbeitungskommission-augsburg.de
kontakt@aufarbeitungskommission-augsburg.de