VITA Group reports that 32 victims of violence in the church have already applied for compensation

The VITA group reported this Monday that there have already been 32 requests for compensation from victims of sexual abuse they have suffered over the past few decades in the context of the Portuguese Catholic Church.

“Thirty-two victims have so far asked for financial compensation, a request that has already been proposed by the Portuguese Episcopal Conference. [CEP]can be issued between June and December 2024, in accordance with criteria that will be announced shortly,” says a note sent to the media by the structure coordinated by psychologist Rute Agulhas, when about three months ago (February 17) only 12 requests.

The announcement came on the day the CEP president confirmed that the “important topic” of sexual abuse in the Church would be the focus of the Portuguese bishops’ visit to the Vatican.

In a message published by the Vatican, José Ornelas said the topic of violence is a “painful problem” that needs to be addressed through the various dicasteries. [espécie de ministérios] Holy See.

“This is a painful issue, but it is part of our life. And it does not just make us cry or lament, be sure to ask for forgiveness, but, above all, create a better future,” said José Ornelas, recalling that the VITA Group is completing a year of work and “will have the opportunity to reveal the path” that goes “to justice and dignity for every person, and especially those who are most vulnerable.”

As of May 22, 2023, VITA Group has already received 98 requests for assistance from victims of sexual violence, resulting in 60 services (in person or online), according to the structure, which is one year old since its commissioning. regular psychological observation of 18 people by specialists from the created reserve of specialists.

Coordinator Rute Agulhas also announced that she would have a “particularly important” meeting with the President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, on Tuesday.

“The VITA group intends to share its work during its first year and also highlight the importance of creating a National Strategy for the Prevention of Sexual Violence in Portugal,” he said, also setting the date for June 18. for the presentation of the second report on the activities in Fatima.

The monitoring structure also highlighted actions to “raise awareness and train various structures of the Church,” noting that these initiatives have already reached about 1,300 people.

Grupo VITA, established in April 2023, can be contacted via its hotline (915090000) or via the registration form on the website www.grupovita.pt.

The VITA group emerged following the work of the Independent Commission into Child Sexual Abuse in the Catholic Church, led by pediatric psychiatrist Pedro Strecht, which over the course of almost a year confirmed 512 evidence of cases occurring between 1950 and 2022, citing a minimum number of victims of 4,815 for extrapolation.