In the aftermath of a recent child sex abuse case that rocked Luxembourg, RTL spoke to three associations that shared their views on how the media should approach coverage in such cases.
Eolia Verstichel, vice-president of Innocence in Danger (Innocence en Danger Luxembourg), expressed disappointment with the lack of transparency, particularly given that the case in question took six years from the first Europol tip-off about downloaded child abuse material – linked to those now convicted at first instance – until the verdict in late March.
Read also: Six-year child abuse case raises questions about investigation timelinesJessica Lopes from the JIF platform echoed this sentiment: “We do not have enough information to fully understand the details of the file. But many questions remain open.” She added: “Where was [the National Children’s Bureau (ONE)], where was [the Central Social Assistance Service (SCAS)], were there actually errors in the procedure? Or is this just the normal course of such cases in Luxembourg?”
Lopes stressed that if resources were insufficient, they must be increased. “That would be a matter of political priority. These are the questions the media should be addressing now.”
Ana Pinto from the Voice of Survivors (Voix des survivant(e)s) believes it is “extremely necessary” to cover child sex abuse crimes, arguing that they should not be swept under the rug.
Verstichel agrees with this position, arguing that child sex abuse is still a taboo subject in Luxembourg and calling for more reporting, especially giving victims a voice – through lawyers or associations when minors are involved.
Going further, Pinto, herself a victim of violence, supports making offenders’ names public: “I know I’m not making any friends with this now, but I think it would simply be important. Then many people would consider that if it comes out, their career is over. Or their neighbours will know what they did.”
By contrast, Lopes questioned the value of media detailing individual cases: “We wonder what the point is of describing details of individual situations in the press. The victims are not in hiding. These are real people.” She thus argued that coverage should only happen if it serves the victims’ interest.
All agree, however, that sexual abuse of minors is under-reported. Innocence en Danger highlights that 21% of women and 13.8% of men in Luxembourg report experiencing sexual violence before age 18 – figures likely far below the true scale. Innocence en Danger, a global movement protecting children from violence, established its Luxembourg branch in summer 2024 to meet local demand.
Planning Familial, a JIF platform member, recently shared data showing 65% of their treated victims first experienced abuse under age 18, with 31% abused before age 12.
On average, victims in Luxembourg wait 16 years before starting therapy. For Lopes this begs a simple question: “Are we well equipped to identify and protect victims in a timely and consistent manner?”
Verstichel calls this a “double punishment” as many cases are statute-barred by the time adults seek help.
In a small country like Luxembourg, fear and shame may hold many back from speaking out, Lopes asserts: “Sometimes people call us, then turn around before coming in. As a child or adult, it’s extremely hard to speak out. Too often, victims blame themselves.”
Pinto stresses the urgent need for awareness, especially among children. “What happens is unacceptable. Kids don’t talk about it because they think it’s normal.” She underlines the importance of prevention in schools, teaching children that even when someone loves them, they should not be touched in certain spots or exposed to certain things.
Pinto also lamented that unlike other countries where ministries run public campaigns on TV, Luxembourg lacks such initiatives. She describes the culture of silence as damaging: “Right now it’s ‘don’t say anything’. If you say something, you’re the bad guy. And the penalties? They’re laughable.”
Ultimately, Pinto called for a shift in mentality: “We need a culture where people speak up immediately – even if it’s hard.”
Innocence en Danger also criticises Luxembourg’s justice system. For example, at the Diekirch court there is only one youth judge, meaning appeals on minor placement decisions are reviewed by the same person who made the original ruling. They also note an excess of suspended sentences in child sex abuse cases.
Also, victims often do not know their rights or who to turn to, and lawyers for minors can be hard to find: “There is a list of lawyers for minors, but every time we contact one for a minor’s case, we get no response”, says Verstichel. “Even when someone wants to help, it’s difficult.”
