Two researchers from the University of Friborg who participated in the writing of the report on abuses in the Abbey of St-Maurice (VS) wish to launch an additional study to analyze the repercussions of the publication on witnesses. The publication of the report had the unexpected consequence of encouraging victims of other ecclesial institutions to report, notes the SAPEC for Cath.ch.
What is the impact of the report, on the victims, on the institution, on the public …? Questions posed by historian Stéphanie Roulin and sociologist Lorraine Odier, from the University of Friborg. Both participated in the historical study which scrutinized the mechanisms of abuses within the Abbey of St-Maurice, from 1960 to 2024. The report that resulted, made public on June 20, 2025 in Friborg, was largely publicized. The working group, under the leadership of the Prosecutor of Neuchâtel Pierre Aubert, identified 67 situations of abuse having affected at least 68 people allocated to 30 adult or Incarded adult men at the Abbey of St-Maurice. The report has highlighted a number of faulty mechanisms within the institution that allowed these actions to occur or stay in the shadows.
The concern for “secondary victimization”
Stéphanie Roulin and Lorraine Odier tell in the Geneva Tribune From August 25, 2025, what were the public reactions to the report, between relief, questioning and misunderstandings.
They also question the phenomenon of “secondary victimization”, an additional emotional or psychological damage for the victim, when his history reappears publicly. “It would be important for any researcher to take the measure of this phenomenon in his own field,” says Lorraine Odier. We have a responsibility in relation to the elements that we choose to highlight publicly. ”
To deepen the question, the two researchers wish to launch a second study, with the collaboration of the historian Anne-Françoise Praz, who also collaborated in the “Aubert report”. “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 two specialists are looking for financing with the University of Friborg and two private foundations to launch their project.
The report gave confidence to victims
The SAPPE group (support for people abused in a relationship of religious authority), which contributed to the historical study, receives the project of researchers favorably. “We still lack data on the reception and the repercussions of the abuse reports on people. It is always interesting to have a clearer vision on this subject, ”assures Cath.ch Gabriella Loser Friedli, spokesperson for SAPE.
A quality and respectful report
Contrary to what was the case for the pilot project of the University of Zurich, made public in September 2023, the report on St-Maurice did not give rise to new reports of abuse (near SAPE) as part of the abbey. The media coverage of the report, on the other hand, had notable effects of encouragement. Especially of a dozen people with whom SAPE is already in contact (for cases concerning other institutions than the Abbey of St-Maurice) and which so far brought little confidence in the systems in place.
“It was difficult,” explains Gabriella Loser Friedli, to motivate them to address bodies such as LAVI (consultation center for victims of offense), CECAR (Listening-Arbitration-Reparation), police or an mandated investigation office. The Aubert report gave them the confidence necessary to take steps in this sense. ” The quality of the work and his respectful approach to the victims convinced them to take the plunge.
These people are also organizing themselves. “This is a novelty for SAPE, we have never dealt with an organized group before. This is something that can certainly give us many lessons, ”notes the spokesperson. (cath.ch/tdg/arch/rz)
© Catholic Catholic Catholic Cath-Info, 25.08.2025
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