This article was published on 17 July 2024 and updated on 9 September 2024.
Emmaus UK has been made aware of an investigation into incidents of sexual assault and harassment committed by the founder of the international Emmaus movement, Abbé Pierre.
As a federation of 32 independent Emmaus charities across the UK, we are deeply shocked and saddened by the information received from the international movement.
The Emmaus federation in the UK and wider international movement deplores and condemns all acts of abuse, and we stand with all survivors.
The acts committed by Abbé Pierre, who died in 2007, took place between the 1950s and 2000s. Emmaus International, Emmaus France and the Abbé Pierre Foundation commissioned an independent investigation conducted by Group Egae, an organisation which works to prevent gender based and sexual violence and provides support to survivors.
An initial investigation published in July outlined testimonies from seven survivors who were involved in the movement. Subsequent to this information being made public, a further 17 testimonies of sexual violence committed by Abbé Pierre have been identified. As far as we are aware, none of the incidents took place in the UK.
A strictly confidential system to hear testimonies and provide support has been set up for survivors or witnesses of any unacceptable behaviour by Abbé Pierre. This helpline will remain open until December 2024.
Emmaus International have confirmed that independent experts will be commissioned to understand and explain the flaws in the movement that allowed Abbé Pierre to behave as he did for more than fifty years, and ensure that the right systems, process and culture are in place to prevent anything like this from happening again.
Our organisations commend the courage of the people who gave their testimony and, by speaking out, made it possible to bring these events to light. We stand by them unreservedly.
We welcome the actions of Emmaus International, Emmaus France, and the Abbé Pierre Foundation to investigate and ensure support is available.
The Emmaus movement combats and condemns all forms of violence and we are intent on denouncing the deplorable acts committed by a person who has played a major role in our history.
Charlotte Talbott, Chief Executive of Emmaus UK, said:
“We join the international movement in denouncing the deplorable acts committed by Abbé Pierre, a person who has played a major role in the history of Emmaus internationally.
“We stand with the survivors and we share our international colleagues’ commitment to transparency and to ensuring an environment where abuse of any kind is not tolerated in Emmaus.
“At a time when urgent social issues and the need to defend the most socially excluded are particularly pressing, the work of all across the movement, including the people we help, staff, trustees and volunteers, is vital. Support for the most disadvantaged is, and will remain, our core mission.
“We are resolved to continue working, every day, to build a fairer and more supportive world.”
For more information about the investigation, visit the Emmaus International website.