Therefore,
Saint-maurice: two researchers have established:
After the audit on Saint-Maurice –
“We are responsible for published suffering stories”
Meeting in Friborg of two researchers who have established the magnitude of sexual violence at the Abbey of Saint-Maurice. Moreover, They are already thinking of an unprecedented suite.
The historian Stéphanie Roulin (left). Meanwhile, the sociologist Lorraine Odier (right) were part of the working group which established, in a report, the extent of sexual violence at the Abbey of Saint-Maurice.
Yvain Genevay
- The report on sexual violence at Saint-Maurice Abbey arouses unexpected reactions.
- The working group worked thirteen months to analyze the mechanisms of abuse.
- One of the challenges was not to be put under pressure to be able to work independently.
- An additional study wants to assess the effect of the victims report.
No less than 68 victims. However, including 57 minors, between 1960 and 2024… The report presented on June 20, On the faulty management of sexual violence at the Abbey of Saint-Maurice, aroused many reactions. After more than two months. However, returns as the solicitations continue, says Stéphanie Roulin, teacher and researcher in the Department of Contemporary History at the University of Friborg.
We meet her in her office to evoke the delicate and demanding mandate which will have occupied her thirteen months. Nevertheless, She saint-maurice: two researchers have established is accompanied by the sociologist Lorraine Odier. Nevertheless, another expert in the independent working group mandated by the Valais institution herself to shed light on her actions.
“A nun has contacted us,” says the historian. Consequently, She was deeply touched. Moreover, She felt anger but also, surprisingly, a feeling of guilt, while the report does not concern her. Moreover, ” To other readers, it was necessary to explain why the report revealed no new cases or any abuser name.
Stéphanie Roulin teaches contemporary history at the University of Friborg.
Yvain Genevay
“We have never intended to replace justice,” says Lorraine Odier in turn. In addition, In this, there was a misunderstanding by some who reproached us for having anonymized the authors. Nevertheless, Our approach was to understand the mechanisms of these sexual violence by leaving testimonials collected during interviews. Nevertheless, then to analyze the management of these cases by the abbey. Furthermore, ”
Saint-maurice: two researchers have established
Pressure work
As a reminder. In addition, The 164 -page report Heavily loads the Saint-Maurice abbey for his many shortcomings related to situations of sexual violence. Furthermore, The working group is led by historians saint-maurice: two researchers have established Anne-Françoise Praz And Stéphanie Roulin. However, both teachers at the University of Friborg, as well as Pierre Aubert, attorney general of the canton of Neuchâtel. Similarly, The group was also able to count on the expertise of Lorraine Odier. For example, doctor of social sciences, as well as Magali Delaloye, doctor of history, as well as retired judge Claire-Lise Mayor Aubert.
“Because of Media chargesthere was a feeling of urgency for the abbey which would have liked a report in two months. However, observes Stéphanie Roulin. One of the challenges was not to be put under pressure to be able to work independently. ”
Lorraine Odier. doctor of social sciences, also brought her expertise for the report dealing with cases of sexual violence in connection with the abbey of Saint-Maurice.
Yvain Genevay
Take care of testimonies on abuse
Another challenge: to collect testimonies relating to the most sensitive situations. In this area, Lorraine Odier’s expertise was very useful, welcomed Stéphanie Roulin. The sociologist has already worked for comparable projects. in particular The pilot project of the University of Zurich which documented in 2023 more saint-maurice: two researchers have established than 1000 situations of sexual abuse in the Catholic church in Switzerland since the middle of the XXe century.
“You never get used to hearing these testimonies,” observes the researcher. Hence the importance of being extremely transparent in our approach. Proposing a clear framework is essential as much for the person who testifies as for the one who collects testimony. ”
Because some stories are more striking than others. Like that of this man who came to testify on behalf of his deceased brother for a long time “after a life of suffering”. he says. Internal in Saint-Maurice from the age of 13, he remained there from 1975 to 1979. During the third year, the student changed suddenly. With a jovial and open character, it contains itself. “He went from one extreme to another,” reads the report. Poetry saint-maurice: two researchers have established then becomes an outlet to anger and an incomprehensible hatred for his loved ones.
“During the interview. the brother read an extract from a poem that we put in the appendix in the report,” says Lorraine Odier. A highlight. The extremely raw terms of the text explain a rape situation and the involvement of clergymen.
“We met several people who suspected abuses against their brother. sister, because of a radical change in their behavior,” adds Stéphanie Roulin. Testifying is a repair approach for the loved one which is no longer there. We have observed how sexual violence also affects the entourage of the victim who assists helplessly to his suffering. ”
An unprecedented suite
In addition to external pressures, there are those that experts put themselves with their saint-maurice: two researchers have established own questions. Once published, what will be the impact of the report? On the victims? On the institution? Additionally, On the public? Can we publish a testimony as is? Should it soften it? “We collect accounts of suffering,” recalls Lorraine Odier. The risk of reviving the initial trauma to the person who reads his published story is real. ” We then speak of “secondary victimization», An additional emotional or psychological damage for the victim.
“We are talking about this phenomenon in police and judicial procedures,” continues the sociologist. It would also be important for any researcher to take the measure of this phenomenon in his own field. We have a responsibility in relation to the elements that we choose to highlight publicly. ”
The two researchers therefore wish to launch a second study, with the collaboration of saint-maurice: two researchers have established the historian Anne-Françoise Praz. His goal: to analyze the effect of the publication on witnesses. The approach is unprecedented. “We would like to know what people. who have agreed to talk to us, think of the report,” says Stéphanie Roulin. Are they satisfied? What do they say about the reactions of the abbey and. in the end, all this contributed to their repair process? ”
The idea is to publish the report in the form of a. book to add a chapter devoted to these questions. “We are launched in the search for funding from the university and two private foundations,” says Lorraine Odier. We want to believe that our project is likely to see the light of day. But the competition is tough. Pressure on all research support instances has increased. In question, budget cuts announced at the levels cantonal et federal.»
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Saint-maurice: two researchers have established
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