Emmaus denounces

Emmaus International, Emmaus France and the Abbé Pierre Foundation are making public serious acts committed by Abbé Pierre.

The Emmaus Movement is making public acts of sexual assault and sexual harassment committed by Abbé Pierre between the late 1970s and 2005. These incidents affected employees and voluntary workers of some of our member organisations, along with young women that Abbé Pierre knew from his own personal circle. The Movement commissioned Groupe Egaé, a firm specialising in violence prevention, to listen to testimony and conduct analysis. This work made it possible to gather testimonies from seven women. One of them was a minor when the first incidents took place. According to the information gathered, several other women were subjected to similar incidents, but their testimonies have not been heard. A strictly confidential system to hear testimonies and provide support has been set up for victims or witnesses of unacceptable behaviour by Abbé Pierre.

A year ago, Emmaus France received a first-hand account from a woman who was subjected to sexual assault* by Abbé Pierre.
An Emmaus Movement delegation met the victim and heard her testimony.

Following this meeting, an internal investigation was launched by Emmaus International, Emmaus France and the Abbé Pierre Foundation to establish whether other similar incidents had occurred. This work was conducted by Caroline De Haas, of Groupe Egaé, who heard testimonies from seven women reporting behaviour that may amount to sexual assault or sexual harassment committed by Abbé Pierre between the late 1970s and 2005. One of them was a minor (16 or 17 years old) when the first incidents took place. According to Groupe Egaé, it is reasonable to consider that other people were affected, although it is difficult to estimate how many.

Our organisations commend the courage of the people who gave their testimony and, by speaking out, made it possible to bring these events to light. We believe them, we know that these intolerable acts have left their mark and we stand by them.

These revelations have shaken our organisations, where the figure of Abbé Pierre plays a major role. We all know his story and his message. These acts profoundly change the way we regard this man, who was known above all for his struggle against poverty, destitution and exclusion.

At a time when urgent social issues and the need to defend the most vulnerable people are particularly pressing, the day-to-day work carried out by all employees, companions and volunteers within the Emmaus Movement is vital. Solidarity, mutual assistance and unconditional welcome of the most disadvantaged are our raison d’être.

The Emmaus Movement combats all forms of violence and is intent on denouncing the unacceptable acts committed by a person who has played a major role in its history. We owe it to the victims. We also owe it to all those who, for over 70 years, have carried out the Movement’s work on a daily basis. We share their pain and anger, but also their resolve to continue working, every day, to build a fairer and more supportive world.

As of today, the Emmaus Movement has set up a strictly confidential system for gathering testimonies from people who were victims or witnesses of unacceptable behaviour by Abbé Pierre. This system is managed by Groupe Egaé and will offer people the opportunity to be heard, anonymously should they so wish, in addition to providing them with guidance and support.

* The law at the time classified this type of act as indecent assault.

Contact presse : mouvementemmaus@2017.fr