Abuse in the Duisburg Caritas children's home: processing reveals systematic suffering

In a Caritas children's home in Duisburg, numerous children had to endure beatings, psychological abuse and sexual abuse from the 1940s to the 1980s. At least 38 of those affected suffered abuse and 32 people were found to be accused - priests, nuns and employees of the home, it was said at the presentation of scientific studies to deal with the abuse in Duisburg.

Julia Schröder from the board of Caritas Duisburg expressly apologized for the injustice suffered at a public event with numerous those affected. So far, around ten former residents have submitted applications for recognition of their suffering. So far, more than 600,000 euros have been distributed by the diocese for this purpose. The home existed from 1946 to 1983, and at its peak it housed 160 to 200 children.

There are no canonical proceedings against the accused clergy in the files, said historian Andreas Henkelmann from the Catholic University of Paderborn. There is also no information about criminal proceedings, said lawyer Bettina Janssen, who is accompanying the processing process. The crimes have expired and the perpetrators are often dead.

The Ulm forensic scientist Manuela Dudeck reported on 18 detailed interviews with those affected, relatives and some former employees. Accordingly, there was regular physical and sexual violence against children - sometimes in the church sacristy, in washrooms or during school tutoring sessions. Alcohol and tablets were used to sedate the children.

Corporal punishment included routine beatings, cold water showers and confinement in a small room. The children were insulted, and one child who had wet the bed had a wet sheet pressed into her face in front of everyone else, as the scientist reported in her interviews.