The representative on the islands, Ciro Molina, calls for an end to the “culture of silence” and for the comprehensive development of state legislation.
SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 29th October (EUROPA PRESS) –
The spokesperson for the National Stolen Childhood Association, Ciro Molina, stated this Tuesday that “the Church is mishandling the situation” regarding victims of sexual abuse and insisted that, in the specific context of the Canary Islands, reparative actions should be undertaken.
During his appearance before the Social Welfare Commission of the Parliament of the Canary Islands, he remarked that the islands ought to follow the examples set by the bishops of Madrid and Bilbao, who have conducted public reparative ceremonies.
“Simply enacting those two measures would suffice, especially if they also collaborate with public institutions,” he elaborated.
Molina expressed his disbelief that some victims will receive compensation while others will not; although he acknowledged that certain dioceses “have stepped up,” he noted that the Episcopal Conference “continues to deny the events,” viewing them as an “attack” against the Church.
He considers this perspective “nonsensical” as it pertains to a “more grave” issue, asserting that the “culture of silence” must be dismantled, citing the personal experience of his mother, who encountered closed doors when attempting to report her son’s abuse.
He recalled the “social terrorism” his family faced in 2004 when they sought to disclose the abuse he endured from a priest in Tenerife at the age of nine, noting that similar situations could have been prevented had someone acted sooner, as had been the case in Vallehermoso (La Gomera) in the 1970s.
Instead, he pointed out that the priest was allowed to continue his duties until 2014.
In this context, he has taken issue with the former bishop of Tenerife, Bernardo Álvarez, who “didn’t report these incidents to the authorities” and was later acknowledged by various political, civil, and military officials.
“We cannot continue to shield paedophiles and their associates; it is time to collectively say enough is enough and reject them outright, and we must do so now,” he emphasised.
Molina has called on lawmakers to thoroughly implement the Organic Law on Comprehensive Protection of Children and Adolescents against Violence (LOPIVI) and to act on the recommendations outlined by the Ombudsman in their latest report, which suggests developing protocols, programmes, and plans for child care with a holistic approach.
“They must not only respond when harm has already occurred, but also take preventive measures, involving ministries such as Social Welfare, Education, Health, Sports, or Justice. It is vital to implement campaigns detailing what actions to take and how to educate, organise, and prevent,” he stated.
From his perspective, it is “crucial” to foster secure environments and establish support networks in families or educational institutions “where children and young adults can confide,” alongside developing a statute for victims of sexual violence and providing them with psychological, legal, and even educational assistance.
ESTABLISH AN OBSERVATORY
He presented a working document, serving as a guide, compiled by technicians from the Tenerife Cabildo, and has further requested the creation of a coordinating body in partnership with specialised entities and associations to achieve designated objectives as an observatory.
Consequently, he urged to “keep pace” with other regions, such as Navarra, which has instituted a restorative justice law and established an office dedicated to assisting victims. “Otherwise, this presentation will merely equate to a simple thank you for attending and a token gesture,” he remarked.
He stated that the victims “require your authentic commitment” and cannot be told that assistance was lacking due to “insufficient funds for prevention or a deficit of political will.” “They deserve the opportunity to move forward, face life, trust again, live peacefully, and attain happiness,” he asserted.
Overall, he believes that developments are going “in the right direction” and that proposals from the Council of Europe are beginning to take effect, yet he emphasised that the Church still needs to accept its “civil responsibility” for all past events.
“I am here, or we are here, because the system has failed. Therefore, it is regrettable that it has come to this point,” he noted.
The association’s spokesperson has also requested that the chamber collaborate with public universities to organise informational sessions aiming to educate children “about their bodies, their identities, and what they should not tolerate.”
