In the suspected case of sexual abuse in a municipal kindergarten in Vienna-Penzing, which only became known this year, it now appears that 12 parents have reported abnormalities in their children since 2020. Nevertheless, the other parents were not or only “half” aware of the allegations, child and youth lawyer Ercan Nik Nafs reported on Thursday together with alderman Christoph Wiederkehr (NEOS) from an audit report that paints a disastrous picture…
The abnormalities ranged from nightmares and sudden bed-wetting to the permanent refusal to go to kindergarten and fear of the toilet and washroom in kindergarten, explains Nik Nafs. There was not even an explanation “when the rumor spread among the children that the (moved, note) afflicted teacher had died of Corona”.
Huge communication errors
The Viennese child and youth lawyer criticized the hierarchical structures. Parents of affected children were rejected with a request to inform other parents as well – with the indication that they were initially waiting for a “decision from above”. He identified a “lack of willingness to take responsibility” and fear of superiors.
Reports on the anomalies have been around since 2020, but have not been forwarded, as the test report explains. The report therefore pinpoints massive communication errors.
Wiederkehr announces “major child protection action plan”.
The report, drawn up under the auspices of the Ombudsman for Children and Youth, shows “that communication with the parents was not early enough,” said Wiederkehr. The test also shows that there were child protection facilities, but they were perhaps too complex.
The question of whether the educator is guilty or not “is not a question I will answer as a politician, nor the report,” the deputy mayor emphasized. The presumption of innocence applies, the Public Prosecution Service is investigating. The derivations from the report are intended on the one hand to strengthen child protection, but also to increase trust in municipal educational institutions. The test report is the starting point for a “major child protection action plan” in the city.
Source: Krone
I am Ida Scott, a journalist and content author with a passion for uncovering the truth. I have been writing professionally for Today Times Live since 2020 and specialize in political news. My career began when I was just 17; I had already developed a knack for research and an eye for detail which made me stand out from my peers.
