Complaints against Notre-Dame-de-Bétharram have surged, with 40 new allegations of rape and violence from former students, raising the total to 152. Victims met with the Pau prosecutor to demand accountability from the institution. A preliminary investigation was initiated in February 2024, leading to a judicial inquiry. Currently, only one individual is in custody, while others evade charges due to statutes of limitations. A movement for justice is growing, with more former students sharing their experiences online.
Surge in Complaints Against Notre-Dame-de-Bétharram
The number of complaints continues to escalate, with 40 new allegations of rape, physical, and sexual violence surfacing from former students of the Catholic institution Notre-Dame-de-Bétharram in Pyrénées-Atlantiques. This brings the total count to 152, as reported by Alain Esquerre, spokesperson for the victims’ collective, on Thursday, February 27. Accompanied by around fifty male victims, Esquerre met with the public prosecutor of Pau at the courthouse to discuss these grave matters.
Calls for Accountability and Ongoing Investigations
Decades after the alleged incidents, which took place between the 1950s and the 2000s, a preliminary investigation was initiated by the Pau prosecutor’s office in February 2024 following the emergence of approximately twenty complaints. A judicial investigation was subsequently launched on February 21.
During the meeting, Esquerre urged the congregation managing the institution to acknowledge their responsibility and “plead guilty” for the actions of their priests and lay employees. He emphasized the need for accountability.
The victims expressed their frustration and anxiety, particularly regarding the limited number of individuals held accountable. Currently, only one supervisor, born in 1965, is in provisional detention on charges of rape and sexual assault. Other accused individuals, including a priest born in 1931 and another former supervisor born in 1955, have been released due to the statute of limitations.
Esquerre also reiterated the collective’s demand for a judicial investigation into the legal entity of Bétharram, although he noted that such an investigation cannot proceed at this time. He urged any recent victims to come forward, as their testimonies could prompt a new examination of the case.
“We will not let them escape,” he declared regarding the alleged aggressors, assuring that civil proceedings would be pursued either individually or collectively. He concluded with a strong statement, asserting that the Bétharram case will be elevated and could set a significant precedent across France.
Prosecutor Rodolphe Jarry refrained from divulging investigation specifics, emphasizing the importance of the meeting for the victims. He described it as a profound and emotional experience, marked by moments of anger and misunderstanding. Jarry reassured the victims that the judicial investigation is ongoing and that an investigating judge is actively handling the case.
In recent days, additional groups of former students claiming to have experienced similar physical and sexual violence in private institutions across France have emerged on social media platforms, highlighting a growing movement for justice and support.