The Ombudsman, Ángel Gabilondo, chaired this Tuesday the constituent meeting of the Advisory Commission to prepare a report on sexual abuse within the Catholic Church and the role of public authorities, according to an order from the Spanish Parliament.
The Advisory Commission, made up of 20 members, includes 17 external members with experience in victim care and knowledge of the legal system, human rights, victimology, and teaching. The institution’s representatives are also expected to participate in the Commission, to be chaired by the Ombudsman.
As announced by Ángel Gabilondo in the Spanish Parliament on 20 June, one of the Commission’s main objectives is “to determine facts and responsibilities, propose victim reparation procedures, and implement both preventive measures and guidelines for action to prevent similar events from happening again.”
Together with the Advisory Commission, two other initiatives have been launched. The Forum of Associations will be a space in which representatives of the victims’ associations, should they wish to do so, may contribute their experience during various work sessions. The Victim Care Unit, on the other hand, will be formed by professionals with relevant experience, tasked with listening to the victims who present their testimony, in line with Advisory Commission considerations.
Furthermore, the institution has activated the “Care for victims of sexual abuse in the Catholic Church” section on www.defensordelpueblo.es, which will include information on the order from the Spanish Parliament. It will also make available a range of channels through which victims may leave their testimonies, starting 6 July.
Victims may contact the experts of the Victim Care Unit by calling the freephone number 900 111 025 or visiting in person. The Unit may also be contacted via email atencionvictimas@defensordelpueblo.es) or post (Defensor del Pueblo, Calle Zurbano 42, 28010 MADRID).
View the list of members of the Advisory Commission
Learn more about the members of the Advisory Commission
