He Focolare Movement publishes the first report on cases of abuse of minors and vulnerable adults, including spiritual abuse and abuse of authority, occurring within the Movement. It also includes information on reparation measures, new investigation procedures, and training activities aimed at protecting individuals.
The report begins with a letter of Margaret Karram and Jesus Moran, President and Co-President of the Focolare: «We are writing to present a public report on the data regarding the notifications and measures we have taken as the Focolare Movement, due to the scourge of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable people, as well as abuses of conscience, spirituality, and authority over adults, from which we too have not been spared..
The document Towards a culture of comprehensive protection of the person, will be renewed annually and is published one year after the dissemination of the results of the research carried out by GCPS Consulting on the serious cases of sexual abuse committed by a former French focolarino.
He Focolare Movement works to adopt the necessary measures to guarantee the prevention and comprehensive protection of the person in all areas and environments in which its activities are carried out. Therefore, the document now published - explain the President and Co-President of the Focolare‒, «This is the first report on the prevention, investigation, transparency, training and change measures undertaken by the Focolare Movement to counter this crime.
The President and Co-President sincerely apologize to each of the victims and survivors on behalf of the Focolare Movement, while expressing deep gratitude to them, as well as to the victims, families and communities involved not only in France, but in all countries where cases of abuse have emerged, because thanks to their cooperation and, above all, to their courage in confronting and bringing these crimes to light, Motion is more consciously implementing new commitments and procedures regarding the protection of people.
The report consists of several parts and presents data relating to abuses reported to the Commission for the Well-being and Protection of the Person (CO.BE.TU.) since its creation in 2014; it therefore systematically compiles notifications until December 2022. The report also presents data on the "basic courses on the protection of the person" carried out in the different countries in which the Focolare Movement.
Another section is dedicated to priority measures already in place or in the process of implementation, in response to the recommendations of the independent investigation of GCPS Consulting. The courses and training tools for the protection of the person are available to all members of the Motion, especially for the trainers and companions of minors. Training activities have already been launched for those responsible for the Motion at different levels: from central management to territorial managers in different geographical areas.
On May 1, 2023, the Central Independent Commission and will complete the task of the CO.BE.TU. The new body will be responsible exclusively for processing notifications, while training will be coordinated at the central and local levels by another team of experts and consultants.
The report also presents the Protocol for the management of cases of abuse in the Focolare Movement, the Powers of the Central Independent Commission and the Support lines and financial compensation in cases of sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable adults.
Regarding reporting, denunciation, and investigation procedures in countries where reporting is mandatory, notification is immediately transmitted to the judicial authorities. If national legislation does not provide for mandatory reporting, but the facts nevertheless constitute a crime, the commission will submit the complaint to the judicial authorities immediately after verifying the plausibility of the facts, unless the victim or their parents object. In accordance with international legislative standards, notification of abuse will also occur even if the crime has already expired.
Download the PDF report on the handling of abuse cases in the Focolare Movement.
