Spain establishes a new mechanism for victims of sexual violence to seek compensation outside church institutions.
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A new agreement was signed in Madrid by the Spanish Minister of Justice, the head of the Spanish Episcopal Conference, and the president of the Spanish Unions Conference, establishing an alternative process for victims of sexual violence who do not wish to approach the Church directly for compensation. Victims can submit requests to the Spanish Ministry of Justice, which will then refer the case to the national ombudsman’s victims’ office to prepare a decision and potential compensation offer. This offer will be presented to the Church’s advisory commission for review. If disagreements persist, a joint commission involving the Church, the ombudsman’s office, and victims’ associations will be convened, with the ombudsman making the final decision if consensus cannot be reached. The Spanish government acknowledged past inaction, calling the agreement a historical and moral step for victims. The Spanish Catholic Church has already paid nearly two million euros in compensation for sexual violence victims, with the total proposed compensation under the 2024 plan amounting to over 1.8 million euros. The agreement also includes the government’s commitment to resolving compensation for all victims of sexual exploitation in public life. In Lithuania, there are no detailed, publicly released investigations into sexual violence by clergy, and the national legal system provides mechanisms for victims to seek help and compensation through the police, free legal aid, or state compensation if the perpetrator is unknown or unable to pay.
