Nearly all perpetrators were male, and the illicit acts most frequently occurred during stays in tent camps.
Sexualized violence against minors within the scouting movement: investigative materials covering the period from 1973 to 2024 list 344 victims. These individuals endured sexual harassment, and one-third of them suffered rape. Girls and young women accounted for 60 percent of the victims, with two-thirds aged between 13 and 17 at the time. Approximately half of all cases occurred during trips or camp gatherings. With the exception of three individuals, all 161 alleged perpetrators were male, and one in two was between the ages of 18 and 24 when the crimes were committed.
Severe Psychological Consequences for Victims
The study was conducted by the Berlin-based Dissens institute and the Munich-based IPP (Institute for Philanthropy and Psychology). Since 2023, specialists examined roughly 1,300 pages of archival documents and conducted 79 interviews with former and current scouts. The findings were presented Tuesday morning at the headquarters of the Association of Christian Guides and Scouts (VCP) in Kassel. During the press conference, Marlene Kowalski of the VCP characterized this as “one of the darkest chapters in the history of our association.”
Victims of sexualized violence reported severe psychological consequences. Miriam Glas shared that she, like many others, blamed herself and assumed responsibility for the perpetrators’ actions. Specialists typically characterize this as guilt inversion, a state often intentionally cultivated by the abusers themselves. Glas also urged other victims to come forward.
Previous Investigation of a Second Scouting Association
The Association of Guides and Scouts (BdP) presented similar data nearly two years ago, with the IPP institute also playing a leading role. That report contained information on at least 50 accused individuals and 123 victims.
According to its own records, the BdP has approximately 30,000 members in Germany. The VCP is larger, with around 47,000 members, and its activities are significantly influenced by the Protestant Church.
Source: dpa, epd
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