Efforts to Address Sexual Abuse in Evangelical Church Face Delays

Disagreements over commission appointments slow progress in Niedersachsen, while other regions move forward with independent bodies.

The establishment of an independent commission to address sexual abuse in the Evangelical Church and Diakonie in Niedersachsen and Bremen has been delayed due to disputes over member appointments.
Two nominees from the Niedersachsen state government, Thela Wernstedt and Antje Niewisch-Lennartz, withdrew after some survivors objected to their prior church affiliations, citing concerns over impartiality.
The Niedersachsen state government defended the nominees as highly qualified and independent but stated it would not propose alternative candidates at this time.
In contrast, other regional commissions, such as those in Berlin, Brandenburg, and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, are set to begin operations by the end of March, with notable members like DDR civil rights activist Ulrike Poppe.
These commissions aim to investigate past abuses, provide a platform for survivor complaints, and develop recommendations for prevention and intervention across nine regions in Germany.