Poland: Priests involved in one third of pedophilia cases between 2017-20, 35% of perpetrators are relatives | ATHENS 9,84

Priests are involved in a third of pedophilia cases recorded in Poland between 2017-2020, according to a government committee that examined more than 300 cases.
"The State Commission on Pedophilia is handling 100 cases in which a member of the clergy has been charged with sexually abusing a minor under the age of 15," she said in her first press release, covering a total of 345 cases.
With regard to cases involving clergy, the Commission has submitted 55 requests to the public prosecutor for a preliminary examination. Of these, 36 relate to the failure to report an offense to the competent authorities.
In general, in 35% of cases, the perpetrators are members of the victim's family.
The Commission, set up in 2019, also made a number of recommendations in order to speed up court proceedings and to protect victims more effectively.
Among other things, she expressed her regret that so far, despite her requests, she has not received from the Church the evidence she requests for certain cases …