Numerous cases of abuse in Protestant churches in Germany Court convicts 39-year-old of manslaughter in Jestetten (D)

An investigation into sexual violence in the Evangelical Church in Germany and the Diakonie has documented at least 1,259 suspects in recent decades.

The research by independent scientists presented on Thursday in Hannover speaks of the “tip of the iceberg”. The established number of cases of 2,225 people affected is based on files from the regional churches and diaconal services. Cases known to regional churches and diaconal organizations have also been included.

The EKD started the research in 2020. The aim was to analyze Protestant structures that promote violence and abuse of power. The scientists could not assess the personal files of all pastors and deacons, but especially the disciplinary files. The research was funded with 3.6 million euros. As an umbrella organization of twenty regional churches, the EKD represents 19.2 million Protestant Christians throughout Germany.

The number of cases is not directly comparable with the results of a study into sexual violence in the Catholic Church that was published in 2018. After evaluating almost 40,000 personnel files from the period between 1945 and 2014, 1,670 Catholic priests and deacons were accused, to whom 3,677 children and young people could be attributed as affected. At the time, scientists emphasized that the number was “a lower estimate.”

The forum survey looked at everyone working in Protestant life, including home teachers, church musicians and volunteer youth leaders. It is expected that other affected people will come forward.

Germany is a country of mixed denominations, with a historically predominantly Protestant north and east and a Catholic south and west. Recently, 24.8 percent of the population belonged to the Catholic Church and 23 percent to the Protestant churches of the EKD. The largest group in Germany now consists of non-denominational people, especially in the former communist East. (saw/sda/dpa)