Victims of sexual abuse spoke at the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of the USB

The topic of the second series of open debates, which will continue at the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences of USB next year was an urgent one - Sexual abuse in (not only religious) organizations. The full recording of the panel discussion can be listened to on the faculty YouTube channel (in Czech).

Those who gathered in Lecture Hall A on Thursday, December 9, experienced an extraordinary meeting of people who greatly impressed the audience with their openness and honesty. The discussion was attended by professionals who have extensive experience with supporting victims of sexual abuse, especially in a church setting, from both a therapeutic and legal perspective. Two of the guests - a woman and a man - were there to relay their experiences as victims. Their stories were key to opening up the issue to people who had previously not thought about it. It was also a powerful message for our students who plan to work in the helping professions - because it is very likely that (in both the health and social spheres) they will encounter someone who has experienced sexual abuse or coercion in their future professional practice. In this respect, a particularly inspiring person was the priest and hospital chaplain, Marek František Drábek, who graduated as a general nurse and is familiar with the medical environment because he worked in a hospital in the internal ward for several years. He has been involved in accompanying victims of sexual abuse for a long time, and has opened up the topic to the public through a series of YouTube videos.

A common appeal, heard from many angles, was that it is necessary to talk about it. Mainly because such meetings can help people to open up and express their fears. It is alarming that victims are only able to talk about the abuse much later: on average after 8 to 15 years. This can be very devastating to their lives, which is why any chance to reach out to the general public and gain the trust of those in need is so important. Ondřej Doskočil, Vice Dean for Academic Affairs of the FHSS USB, and the organizer of the event, summarized: "Sexual abuse is a phenomenon that affects the whole of society – and we don't just encounter it in religious organisations. Graduates of our courses may also encounter it in the health or social sectors. Moreover, it often occurs in families among those close to the victim – where we might least expect it. It is because we don’t expect it there that we do not notice the warning signs, and often do not believe the victims. The debate opened my eyes in many ways, helping me to perceive reality in a more diverse way."