Scandal in the diocese of Essen: 300,000 euros required for victims of abuse!

Scandal in the diocese of Essen: 300,000 euros required for victims of abuse!

In the event of an abuse of a now 56-year-old man who was abused by a clergyman from Essen as an eleven year old in 1979, the district court Essen came to a decision in the pain and suffering process on Friday at 12 noon. The plaintiff demands at least 300,000 euros in pain and suffering from the diocese of Essen. This sum could be a precedent in dealing with such cases, but also challenged the court, especially with regard to the validity of the amount of the claim.

The plaintiff's descriptions are classified as credible by the judges. The former priest Peter H. is accused of bringing the boy into an abusive situation at a television evening in the parish of St. Andreas, where he was known as a charismatic pastor. First, Peter H. offered the eleven -year -old an alcoholic drink and then closed the doors to force Fesselmann for oral sex. After the incident, the priest gave the boy more alcohol, so that he finally fell asleep.

legal aspects of the lawsuit

The court made it clear that the case cannot be pursued under criminal law because the crime from 1979 is criminal. However, the victim's complaint is based on the official liability of the diocese for the behavior of one of his officials. The district court sees this procedure as an important aspect of the responsibility of the Institution for its goods and its deeds.

The diocese of Essen must also face increasing expectations against the background of the currently required pain and suffering. The plaintiff is not the first to ask for compensation, and it is mentioned that similar cases have already been negotiated in other dioceses. A person affected by the Archdiocese of Cologne received 300,000 euros, which was considered quite high, since despite the experiences he could lead a relatively normal life and was able to found a family.

The tragedy of abuse

The tragedy of such cases can not only be determined by the financial claims. The plaintiff from Essen still suffers from the psychological consequences of his childhood experiences, including anxiety attacks and sleep disorders. Such long -term health consequences are directly related to the sexual abuse that the victim has suffered. In similar procedures, the institutional responsibility of the church is emphasized again and again, which has failed for years to protect those affected and react to allegations.

The events related to Wilfried Fesselmann case are shocking, not only because of the abuse itself, but also because of the framework conditions that often underlie such attacks. The company will be required to remain attentive and continue to fight for the rights of victims of abuse to achieve justice and prevent similar cases in the future.