Seven weeks after the first revelations, Abbé Pierre, who died in 2007, is the target of 17 new testimonies accusing him of sexual violence allegedly committed between the 1950s and the 2000s, according to a report by the specialist firm Egaé made public on Friday, September 6, 2024.
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” To date, at least 17 additional people have been identified as having suffered violence. ” from the priest who died in 2007, we can read in this report sent to AFP, which notably mentions a testimony on facts which could be similar to rape.
In total, the Egaé group, tasked on July 17 by Emmaüs and the Abbé Pierre Foundation with collecting potential new testimonies, indicates that it has received, as of September 2, around fifty emails and twenty telephone messages. Egaé specifies that it has collected 17 testimonies – 12 direct and 5 indirect – concerning sexual violence committed against minor and adult women, testimonies that are in addition to the seven made public last July.
The new testimonies report contacts ” unsolicited on breasts “, of ” forced kisses “, of ” forced blowjobs “, of ” repeated sexual contact with a vulnerable person “, of ” repeated acts of sexual penetration » or even « sexual contact with a child “.
A shock in France, the Abbé Pierre Foundation abandons its name
The facts denounced date back to a period ranging from the 1950s to the 2000s, mostly in France, but also in the United States, Morocco and Switzerland. The people who testified are or have been volunteers at Emmaüs, employees of places where Abbot Pierre stayed, members of families close to the priest or people met at public events.
Triggered on July 17, the first wave of testimonies targeting Abbé Pierre caused a shockwave in France, as this figure in the fight against poverty and poor housing was considered an icon.
Reaffirming its “total support” for the victims, the Abbé Pierre Foundation announced on September 6 its decision to change its name. Emmaüs announced the permanent closure of the memorial site dedicated to Abbé Pierre in Esteville, Seine-Maritime, the village where he is buried. A commission of independent experts will also be set up ” in particular to understand and explain the dysfunctions which allowed Abbé Pierre to act as he did for more than 50 years “, the organizations write in a joint statement.
For its part, the Conference of Bishops of France (CEF) said on Friday its ” fright ” after the new accusations of sexual violence targeting Abbé Pierre, and promised to cooperate with Emmaüs.
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