More than 60 victims of sexual abuse have already requested financial compensation

The national coordination team of diocesan protection committees for vulnerable minors announced on Monday that a total of 67 people filed financial compensation for sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.

In a note released, the team states that next Monday, the deadline for the submission of requests for financial compensation by the persons who claim to have been victims of sexual abuse.

« Of the 67 compensation requests submitted so far 31 people were heard by the instructional committees, of which 18 are from the scope of the diocesan committees, » said the statement.

« The overwhelming majority of victims stated that they feel heard, respected and welcomed by the instructional committees, » said the national coordination team, saying that diocesan committees will remain available to « welcome and listen to the victims » and to receive requests for financial compensation even after the end of the formal period of March 31.

In turn, the note also presents “gratitude to all people victims of sexual abuse in the context of the Catholic Church in Portugal because they go to national and diocesan structures” and appeals to those who have not yet submitted the respective compensation request so that, if they understand, they do so until the end of March.