Resignation in the SOS Children's Village Case

On Wednesday, it was announced that the team will consist exclusively of external experts. Former bank manager Willibald Cernko is stepping down from his mandate on the supervisory board. This step is being taken to "ensure the independence of the commission," a spokesperson told APA.

Commission on SOS Children's Villages Case Without Supervisory Board

In the future, an expert in economics and a professional with a medical-therapeutic background will also be part of the commission. It is not yet decided who, alongside former Supreme Court President Irmgard Griss, child protection expert Hedwig Woelfl, and sociologist Veronika Reidinger, will also be part of it, according to APA. "This will be announced next week," said the spokesperson. Thus, the commission will include five external experts. Independent moderation and process support ensure transparency and clarity. The management is to ensure crisis management and access to all relevant documents.

Former banker Cernko is resigning from his supervisory board mandate with immediate effect and will, at the request and on behalf of the management, support in an advisory capacity on a voluntary basis in the future - both in crisis management and in the internal support of the reform process. This was a personal decision, it was said to APA. Cernko has been significantly involved in recent weeks in getting the commission underway and "communicatively accompanying the transition in the crisis," it was said to APA. Now he has made a "clear cut."

Committee to Ensure Implementation of Recommendations

Last week, in an ORF interview on ZiB2, Cernko advocated that in the future, the supervisory board of SOS Children's Villages should primarily consist of people with "truly deep knowledge" of child protection and pedagogy. However, he said he might not have been up to this task in detail with his expertise.

The commission led by Griss will report in the future to the supervisory board or reform committee. This body is responsible for implementing the reform proposals within the organization. The management ensures unrestricted access to documents and people. The results will be published - while maintaining victim protection. In connection with the work of the reform commission, internal consultations on the role of management are currently taking place. This is to ensure that the commission can work without any conflict of interest.

Supervisory Board Planned Commission on SOS Children's Village Case with Its Own Members

More than a week ago, the supervisory board announced the establishment of an investigation commission. Three seats were also to be allocated to supervisory board members. The expansion and full independence of the commission are "central prerequisites for thoroughly investigating and presenting recommendations for sustainable changes," Griss was quoted on Wednesday. "The clear signal is: child protection has absolute priority," added Managing Director Annemarie Schlack.

A report by the weekly newspaper "Falter" about allegations against the SOS Children's Village at the Moosburg location in Carinthia triggered the abuse case in mid-September. Shortly thereafter, allegations also came to light against the children's villages in Imst in Tyrol and in Seekirchen, Salzburg. Meanwhile, the public prosecutors in Klagenfurt, Innsbruck, and Salzburg are investigating the allegations.

Compensation Payments at SOS Children's Village Location Imst

In the case of the Imst location, the Tyrolean Social Councillor Eva Pawlata (SPÖ) has now, according to the "Tiroler Tageszeitung" (Wednesday edition), demanded clarification from the SOS Children's Village regarding, among other things, reported compensation payments to victims. From the 1950s to 2020, there have been compensations in a total of 18 cases, the SOS Children's Village stated on Wednesday in response to an APA inquiry. Only one of these cases concerned the currently discussed period between 2017 and 2020, two applications related to accommodations until 2017. In 16 of the already decided 18 cases, payments were made and therapies financed. In two cases, only therapies were paid for. Two other cases are still in the process of the victim protection commission.

(APA/Red)

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