SOS Children's Village: Several Suspected Cases of Violence in Imst

Following the emergence of suspected cases of violence at SOS Children's Village, the known details regarding the Tyrolean location in Imst are expanding. "Five cases of suspected child endangerment" have been reported to the Child and Youth Welfare Service, the organization confirmed to APA on Friday, according to a report by the "Tiroler Tageszeitung". The Innsbruck public prosecutor's office is now examining a possible initial suspicion, said spokesman Hansjörg Mayr to APA.

The incidents reportedly concern the period from 2017 to 2020 and relate to the misconduct of two executives, SOS Children's Village stated in response to an APA inquiry. At that time, there were "cases of physical and psychological violence and errors in management," the organization admitted. Details could not be disclosed due to victim protection and data protection reasons. Four of the cases were reported to the Child and Youth Welfare Service at the end of November 2021, and the fifth case in August 2022.

In the past, nothing had been pending with the public prosecutor's office in this matter, said public prosecutor's office spokesman Mayr in response to an APA inquiry. They are now examining a possible initial suspicion, and if such a suspicion exists, investigations will be initiated.

According to SOS Children's Village, Review

The cases in Imst, as well as those in Moosburg, have been internally reviewed, according to SOS Children's Village. As a result, they have parted ways with the executives in Imst, and the location now operates under new leadership and in a modernized structure. There are also various reporting offices, ombudsman offices for former residents, and an anonymous whistleblower platform. As of January 2023, SOS Children's Village has also introduced a new binding child protection policy, the organization informed APA. The results of the previous internal review will now be thoroughly examined by a planned independent commission. Details will be communicated next week, it was stated.

From the office of Tyrol's Social Councillor Eva Pawlata (SPÖ), it was stated to the "TT" that the Department of Child and Youth Welfare was informed by SOS Children's Village in 2021 about "verbal pedagogical misconduct." An employee was dismissed without notice. Additionally, the organization reported on "implemented quality assurance measures for child welfare and processing procedures." No further cases are known to the state. In any case, efforts are being made to clarify the situation, and a conversation with the management in Imst will be sought.

Allegations Against SOS Children's Village in Moosburg

Following serious allegations against the SOS Children's Village in Moosburg near Klagenfurt, the institution announced on Wednesday an "external evaluation of the processing procedures." The Vienna weekly newspaper "Falter" reported on Tuesday about serious allegations against the facility: children and adolescents were allegedly mistreated, locked up, and photographed naked over the years. The matter was swept under the rug.

SOS Children's Village emphasized: "After the allegations became known in 2020, a comprehensive review was initiated." They parted ways with executives and "comprehensively processed the incriminated incidents with the help of external support." The allegations, which date back to the years 2008 to 2020, were recorded in a study commissioned by SOS Children's Village itself. However, the results were not published.

Now the Graz Public Prosecutor's Office clarified that "the mentioned study will be obtained by the Klagenfurt Public Prosecutor's Office." The criminal case is classified as reportable because "due to the significance of the crimes to be clarified, there is a particular public interest."

(APA/Red)

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