The Government approves a compensation plan for victims of pedophilia in the Church
Given the response considered insufficient by the Church to the victims of pedophilia, the Government has made the decision to compensate all people who have suffered abuse by the clergy and whose cases have criminally prescribed.
The Council of Ministers has approved a plan that responds to the Ombudsman’s report, which estimated that around 1.13% of the population has suffered abuse in areas related to the Church, which represents some 450,000 potential victims.
The plan, promoted by the Ministry of the Presidency and Justice of Félix Bolaños, contemplates five lines of action: recognize and repair; care for victims; prevent; train and raise awareness; and inform and investigate.
Compensation plan details
The plan does not specify a figure for compensation, but it is understood that it will be carried out with or without the collaboration of the Church.
In addition, it contemplates the recognition and reparation of victims of sexual abuse of minors within the scope of the Catholic Church in prescribed cases or in which the exercise of criminal action has not been possible.
In cases in which the criminal action has not prescribed, the compensation will comply with the provisions of the Sexual Freedom Law in its article 41, providing financial aid to victims of sexual violence who lack income higher than the interprofessional minimum wage.
The plan also proposes extending the deadlines in which these crimes expire, as well as organizing a public State event to recognize the victims, among other measures.
Reactions and criticisms to the plan
The Sumar coalition has presented formal objections to the plan, arguing that it is the Church that must pay compensation, and that the plan is considered incomplete and insufficient.
On the other hand, the victims have welcomed the plan approved by the Council of Ministers with some perplexity, since they were not previously consulted. They hope to have a say in the details of the plan, and are awaiting the response from the Episcopal Conference.
From the Episcopal Conference, for the moment, there is absolute silence, waiting to know the full content of the document.