Basel Diocese Reports Surge in Sexual Abuse Claims Following University Study

Independent reporting service receives 141 cases of alleged abuse in Catholic Church, leading to five criminal complaints.

The Diocese of Basel received 141 reports of sexual abuse between September 2023 and January 2024.
Five criminal complaints have been filed by the diocese based on these reports.
96% of the claims involve accused persons who are deceased, cases where the statute of limitations has expired, or unidentified parties.
The Diocese of Basel is the largest bishopric in Switzerland, covering ten cantons and over a million Catholics.
A follow-up study on sexual abuse in the Swiss Catholic Church is scheduled for presentation in 2027.

141

abuse reports

96%

rate of legally unactionable cases

126

files examined

compensation claims

"According to the diocese, the five criminal complaints lodged are currently being processed by the competent authorities."
— Swissinfo reporting

"However, according to the authors, this is just the tip of the iceberg."
— Swissinfo reporting

A Flood of Allegations

The Diocese of Basel received 141 reports of sexual abuse between September 2023 and January 2024.
Five criminal complaints have been filed by the diocese based on these reports.
96% of the claims involve accused persons who are deceased, cases where the statute of limitations has expired, or unidentified parties.
The Diocese of Basel is the largest bishopric in Switzerland, covering ten cantons and over a million Catholics.
A follow-up study on sexual abuse in the Swiss Catholic Church is scheduled for presentation in 2027.

141