“We are in a state of law, what does justice do?” asks Arnaud Gallais

Seven weeks after the first revelations, Abbé Pierre is the target of 17 new testimonies accusing him of sexual violence allegedly committed between the 1950s and the 2000s.

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A graffiti depicting the face of Abbé Pierre. The founder of Emmaus accused of sexual violence (TERESA SUAREZ / MAXPPP)

“I find it scandalous that justice is silent,” denounced on Friday September 6 on franceinfo Arnaud Gallais, children’s rights activist, also co-founder of Mouv’Enfants, while Abbé Pierre is targeted by 17 new testimonies accusing him of sexual violence which was allegedly committed between the 1950s and the 2000s, according to a report by the specialist firm Egaé.

“My first reaction is to think of the victims and their loved ones,” said the former member of the Independent Commission on Incest and Sexual Violence against Children (Ciivise).We are not surprised because we can clearly see that the first facts showed that there was a seriality. There will be others, we must expect it,” he assures.

Reaffirming its “full support” To the victims, the Abbé Pierre Foundation announced on Friday, September 6, its decision to change its name and Emmaüs announced the permanent closure of the place of remembrance dedicated to Abbé Pierre in Esteville (Seine-Maritime), the village where he is buried.

“They talk to us about their name change, I don’t care about their name change,” continues Arnaud Gallais, “We are in a state of law, what does justice do?” asks the man who fights against sexual abuse and violence against children. “Are we in a banana republic or are we in a state of law?” persists the activist, who demands “a self-referral by the public prosecutor’s office as is done in other cases”, in the name of the “dignity for victims”.


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