The Emmaüs Movement is making public facts that may be similar to sexual assault or sexual harassment, committed by Abbé Pierre, between the end of the 1970s and 2005. These facts concerned employees, volunteers and volunteers from some of our member organizations, or young women in Abbé Pierre’s personal entourage. The Movement commissioned a firm specializing in violence prevention, the Egaé group, to conduct a listening and analysis exercise. This work enabled us to collect testimonies from seven women. One of them was a minor at the time of the first events. According to the information collected, several other women suffered comparable acts, but were unable to be heard. A strictly confidential system for collecting testimonies and providing support to people who were victims of or witnessed unacceptable behavior on the part of Abbé Pierre has been set up.
A year ago, Emmaüs France received a report of a sexual assault* committed by Abbé Pierre on a woman.
A delegation from the Emmaüs Movement met the victim and collected his testimony.
Following this meeting, a listening exercise was launched internally by Emmaüs International, Emmaüs France and the Abbé Pierre Foundation to establish whether other similar events could have occurred. Led by Caroline De Haas, from the Egaé group, this exercise enabled the collection of testimonies from seven women who reported behavior that could be considered sexual assault or sexual harassment committed by Abbé Pierre between the end of the 1970s and 2005. One of them was a minor (16-17 years old) at the time of the first events. According to the Egaé group, it is reasonable to believe that there are other people involved, in proportions that are difficult to estimate.
Our organizations salute the courage of the people who have testified and, through their words, have enabled these realities to be brought to light. We believe them, we know that these intolerable acts have left their mark and we stand by their side.
These revelations are shaking up our structures, within which the figure of Abbé Pierre occupies a major place. Each of us knows his story and his message. These actions profoundly change the way we look at a man known above all for his fight against poverty, misery and exclusion.
At a time when the social emergency and the need to defend the most vulnerable people are felt with particular acuity, the missions carried out daily by all employees, companions and volunteers of the Emmaüs Movement remain essential. Solidarity, mutual aid and the unconditional welcome of the most deprived constitute our reason for being.
The Emmaus Movement fights all forms of violence and intends to denounce the unacceptable acts committed by a person who played a major role in its history. We owe it to the victims. We also owe it to all those who, for more than 70 years, have carried out the actions of the Movement on a daily basis. We share their pain and their anger, but also their determination to continue working, every day, to build a fairer and more united world.
As of today, the Emmaüs Movement is setting up a strictly confidential system for collecting testimonies for people who have been victims of or witnessed unacceptable behavior on the part of Abbé Pierre. Managed by the Egaé group, this system will allow people who use it to be heard, anonymously if they wish, and to be guided and supported.
“We were moved by the courageous testimony of the victims. If Abbé Pierre inspired the Emmaüs movement throughout the world, today it is the employees and volunteers who embody the values of solidarity and mutual aid that we defend. Emmaüs’ vocation to help the most vulnerable, everywhere in the world, must more than ever be our compass today.”
Patrick Atohounpresident of Emmaüs International
“We salute the courage of the women who, after so many years, have found the strength to testify and the courage to denounce an icon. Campaigning against all forms of violence, particularly those against women, Emmaüs continues today its action with vulnerable people and fights against all forms of precariousness.”
Bruno MorelPresident of Emmaüs France
“The shock has been immense for us. The priority is to be completely transparent and do everything in our power to help and support those who have had the courage to testify.
I also think of the people we help and support on a daily basis, who suffer from poverty and poor housing. We are going to live through a turbulent period, but I want to tell them that we will tirelessly continue our fight alongside them.”
Marie-Helene Le Nedicpresident of the Abbé Pierre Foundation
Press contacts:
Roman Abreu, Cabinet 2017
06 23 21 36 86
Elizabeth Jacob, Cabinet 2017
06 38 01 30 37
Pauline Reullier, Cabinet 2017
06 70 14 30 17
* At the time, the law classified this type of act as indecent assault.
⬇️ read the report