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Accusations against Abbé Pierre: can justice investigate?
There are now 24 women accusing Abbé Pierre of sexual violence after new testimonies emerged on Friday, September 6. Since the priest died in 2007, could the justice system investigate?
(France 2)
There are now 24 women accusing Abbé Pierre of sexual violence after new testimonies emerged on Friday, September 6. Since the priest died in 2007, could the justice system investigate?
Despite his death 17 years ago, could the recent accusations against Abbé Pierre lead to legal consequences? Were some of those close to him and among his entourage aware of the rapes and sexual assaults reported in the testimonies of 24 women, some of whom were minors? Under French law, prosecution of a deceased person is impossible, but could any witnesses who did not denounce Abbé Pierre’s actions be worried?
According to the Penal Code, the statute of limitations for failure to report a crime or offence extends, depending on the profile of the victims, from 6 to 20 years. Too late, therefore, for almost all of the reported cases. But for a lawyer, the opening of an investigation could make it possible to rule out the hypothesis of other attackers alongside Abbé Pierre. “His action is also part of a foundation and we can still wonder whether there are not other people involved in other serious offences.”she explained. For the time being, the justice system has not indicated that it wants to open an investigation into the accusations brought against Abbé Pierre.
