Spanish Church sexual abuse affected 200,000 children, commission finds
Spanish Church sexual abuse affected 200,000 children, commission finds BBC.com
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More than 200,000 children estimated to have suffered sexual abuse from Spain’s Catholic clergy
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Introduction
According to an independent commission, over 200,000 children are estimated to have experienced sexual abuse by Spain’s Catholic clergy. This unprecedented public investigation by Spain’s ombudsman highlights the “devastating impact” on the victims.
Church’s Inaction and Cover-up
The ombudsman, Angel Gabilondo, criticized the Church for its inaction and attempts to cover up or deny the abuse. He emphasized that the silence surrounding the issue has allowed such abuse to occur.
Survey Results
- The commission conducted a survey on 800,000 members of the public.
- 0.6% of the country’s adult population, approximately 39 million people, reported suffering sexual abuse as children by members of the clergy.
- When including alleged abuse by lay people in Church-run institutions, the percentage rose to 1.13%, over 400,000 people.
Impact on Victims
The report includes statements from more than 487 abuse survivors, who highlighted the emotional toll it had taken. Some victims have died by suicide, while others have struggled to rebuild their lives.
Call for Action
Mr. Gabilondo emphasized the need for a response to address the suffering and loneliness that has been hidden by silence. He proposed the creation of a state fund to provide compensation for abuse victims.
Church’s Cooperation and Prime Minister’s Response
The Church cooperated to a certain extent with the commission, but its lack of interest in assisting with the report and the hostility of some bishops were noted. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the report’s findings as a “milestone” in the country’s democracy, acknowledging that it has brought to light a long-known but unspoken reality.
Related Topics
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article discusses the issue of sexual abuse suffered by children at the hands of Spain’s Catholic clergy. This issue is directly connected to SDG 5, which aims to achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls. The article highlights the devastating impact of the abuse on the victims, emphasizing the need for justice and support for those affected. This aligns with SDG 16, which focuses on promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, providing access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and inclusive institutions at all levels.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres
- Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children
- Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels
The article highlights the sexual abuse suffered by children, particularly girls, at the hands of the Catholic clergy. This aligns with Target 5.2 of SDG 5, which aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls. Additionally, the article emphasizes the need to address the abuse and provide justice for the victims, aligning with Target 16.2 of SDG 16. The article also mentions the inaction and attempts to cover up or deny the abuse by the Church, highlighting the importance of developing effective, accountable, and transparent institutions, as stated in Target 16.6.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months
- Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation
- Indicator 16.6.1: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (or by budget codes or similar), disaggregated by sex, age, and persons with disabilities
The article does not explicitly mention specific indicators. However, based on the content, potential indicators that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets include Indicator 5.2.1, which measures the proportion of women and girls subjected to violence by an intimate partner, Indicator 16.2.2, which measures the number of victims of human trafficking, and Indicator 16.6.1, which measures government expenditures as a proportion of the budget.
4. Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | Target 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in public and private spheres | Indicator 5.2.1: Proportion of ever-partnered women and girls subjected to physical, sexual, or psychological violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children | Indicator 16.2.2: Number of victims of human trafficking per 100,000 population, by sex, age group, and form of exploitation |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | Target 16.6: Develop effective, accountable, and transparent institutions at all levels | Indicator 16.6.1: Primary government expenditures as a proportion of original approved budget, by sector (or by budget codes or similar), disaggregated by sex, age, and persons with disabilities |
The table summarizes the identified SDGs, targets, and indicators based on the analysis of the article. It provides a clear overview of the relevant goals, their corresponding targets, and the specific indicators that can be used to measure progress towards addressing the issues discussed in the article.
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Source: bbc.com
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