The Oberzell Franciscan Sisters have commissioned the Central Institute for Mental Health (CIMH) in Mannheim to scientifically investigate the extent of sexualized violence against children and young people in their area of responsibility and how it is dealt with. With this independent study, the congregation wants to obtain a basis for coming to terms with its own past, take responsibility and give those affected a voice. At the same time, the results should contribute to the improvement of protection concepts and preventative measures.

Invitation to participate in the study

A central component of the MKF study (Abuse by Catholic Women's Congregation) is the survey of the experiences of those affected and of contemporary witnesses. People who were in contact with members of the Congregation of the Servants of the Holy Childhood of Jesus as children, adolescents or adults are invited to take part in the study.

The Oberzell Sisters worked in numerous children's and youth welfare homes, including institutions in Zell, Würzburg, Hof, Kirchschönbach and Munich. Those affected and people who have heard of abuse or have information on how to deal with suspected cases can share their experiences in a protected environment. Participation is confidential and anonymous.

Confidentiality and data protection

The research team is aware that it can be difficult to talk about such experiences. Therefore, the participants themselves decide what and how much they want to report. All information is treated as strictly confidential and anonymized. The study is subject to the rules of scientific data protection and the General Data Protection Regulation (DSGVO). Interested parties can initially contact the research team without obligation; any further steps are taken at an individual pace and only with explicit consent.

A topic that has been little researched to date

Sexualized violence in the Catholic Church has already been investigated in several scientific studies. One pioneering study in Germany was the MHG study published in 2018 by the CIMH and the universities of Heidelberg and Giessen, which looked at sexualized violence by male clergy. Until now, however, female religious communities and women as potential perpetrators have remained largely unexplored. This is where the MKF study comes in, in order to close knowledge gaps and improve protection concepts.

Scientifically independent study

The CIMH was commissioned to carry out the study following a competitive tendering process. The research team has extensive experience in investigating sexualized violence, including through its involvement in the MHG study and the ForuM study of the Protestant Church. The study is independent and scientifically sound. In addition to analyzing personal files, interviews will be conducted with those affected, those responsible and contemporary witnesses.

Prof. Dr. Harald Dreßing, Head of Forensic Psychiatry at the CIMH and coordinator of the study, emphasizes: “The extent of sexualized violence by women is a largely blind spot in research. Our study aims to contribute to a better understanding of this important topic and to develop effective prevention measures.”

The perspective of those affected is central

Superior General Sr. Dr. Katharina Ganz emphasizes that the Oberzell Franciscan Sisters want to take responsibility and acknowledge the suffering of those affected. “We want to shed light on this potential darkness of the past and give a voice to the people who were affected.” The results of the study should also help to optimize protection concepts and preventative measures and better protect children from sexualized violence and its often serious health consequences in the future. In this context, Dreßing also emphasizes the courage and open-mindedness of the Oberzell sisters in dealing with this issue.

Contact for those affected and contemporary witnesses

People who are willing to share their experiences can contact the research team at the Central Institute of Mental Health.

Contact persons:

Dr. Andreas Hoell: andreas.hoell zi-mannheim.de
Leonie Scharmann: leonie.scharmann zi-mannheim.de
Telephone contact: tel:0621 17036402

Anonymous reports are possible at: www.zi-mannheim.de/mkf-studie

Further information on the Congregation's facilities can be found at: www.oberzell.de/aufarbeitung

Sexualized and other forms of violence

Sexualized violence refers to acts of a sexual nature without the consent or without the capacity to consent of those affected. Sexualized violence thus includes any unwanted sexual act and transgression of boundaries in which a person's sexual self-determination and integrity is impaired. Even though physical and psychological violence are likely to have been used more frequently in an abusive manner, particularly in the context of residential care, these forms of abuse were not investigated as part of the study. However, the experiences of people who have experienced physical or psychological violence at the hands of Oberzell Franciscan sisters can be included in the study to a limited extent if they occurred in the context of sexualized violence. Those affected can also contact the external abuse officers of the Congregation. The contact details can be found at: www.oberzell.de/aufarbeitung