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Project Description

Since September 2021, a research group from the University of Osnabrück has been working on a study concerning sexualized violence against children and vulnerable adults in the diocese of Osnabrück. The study is an independent research project seeking to depict the extent of sexual violence in the diocese of Osnabrück since 1945.

The project aims to investigate the circumstances of sexualized violence historically but also legally against a contemporary background. Another goal is to examine and evaluate the dealing with cases by members of the diocese.

Responsible for the project are the legal scholar Prof. Dr. Hans Schulte-Nölke and the historian Prof. Dr. Sigrid Westphal. In addition to other academic researchers, a group of persons affected supports the project alongside other external specialists.

The first step in the project will be a report about possible violations of the law by the diocese when being faced with sexualized violence. Later, a second study will be published which will contain all the results of the project.