Following the complaint of sexual abuse committed by the former focolarino Jean-Michel Merlin in the Focolare Movement in France, on Tuesday, January 2, 2024, the Nanterre Police Prefecture (France) published an appeal addressed to "anyone who can provide relevant information for the investigation or who wishes to report incidents of which they may have been a victim."
Jean-Michel Merlin –the document explains– was accused of sexual abuse of minors and adults committed for years within the FocolareMany of the victims have come forward and reported the acts committed against them.
The Focolare express their full availability to facilitate the work of the judicial authorities and to make this appeal known. They offer their support to the victims and their commitment to continue implementing measures to protect and safeguard minors and the person so that the Motion can increasingly be a safe place for everyone.
Anyone with information relevant to the investigation or wishing to report incidents they have been victims of in France or elsewhere is encouraged to contact the French judicial authorities at the following address: appeal to us
