In mid-October, a terrible suspicion of abuse in a kindergarten in Graz came to light: a teacher allegedly sexually assaulted a girl. Police have asked other suspects to contact them. There are now seven suspected cases – including one in another kindergarten in Graz. The suspect continues to deny that he abused children.
Since the beginning of October this year, the detective and the prosecutor’s office in Graz have been investigating after a completely distraught underage girl confided in her own mother and told her about the appalling behavior of a kindergarten teacher.
After the city of Graz was made public as an operator of a kindergarten, things followed each other quickly and more and more cases became known. Extensive surveys and the findings of studies already available have now led to a total of six suspected cases in the Schönbrunngasse kindergarten in Graz, where boys and girls between the ages of three and five were allegedly sexually assaulted, some of them seriously.
Accusations against educators carry heavy weight
Now the suspicion is spreading to another kindergarten location. Investigators have already found a victim in the Plüddemanngasse kindergarten in Graz, the police news agency reported on Wednesday. She would have been seriously sexually assaulted by the same teacher as early as autumn 2021. The suspect worked there in kindergarten 2021/22. This is already the seventh suspected case. And detectives expect even more victims.
Defendant continues to deny the facts
The accusations against the Styrians are enormous: it concerns serious sexual abuse, the penalty is a maximum of ten years in prison. The presumption of innocence applies to the teacher who cooperates but dismisses all charges.
Point of contact for possible further victims
The city will now inform parents or legal guardians in the affected kindergarten about the further suspected case in a letter. Further investigations are underway.
The police have now set up a contact point at the Graz-Plüddemanngasse police inspection (tel. 059133/6591) for other possible victims or those affected. The hotline of the Sexual Violence Prevention Center (0316/872-7427) is also intended to offer parents psychological support.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
