Abuse in Vienna SOS Children's Village: Former Caregiver Convicted

The man had been convicted in the first instance at the Vienna Regional Court. However, he appealed the verdict.

The man had repeatedly abused two boys in 2021 and 2022 in the course of his work. In the residential group, the social educator was even the primary caregiver for one of his victims. Before the regional court, the man denied having had sexual contact with his former charges.

Specifically incriminated were touches and sexual acts. His defense attorney requested a reduction of the sentence on Wednesday. He argued in the Palace of Justice that the contact had been initiated by the youths and that "no consequential damage occurred." "I have been in Austria for 25 years," said the defendant, claiming he had never done anything wrong before.

Two and a Half Years Imprisonment for Former SOS Children's Village Caregiver in Vienna

The public prosecutor's office spoke on Wednesday of "general preventive reasons" that argued against a reduction. The OLG panel ultimately followed the prosecution's argument. In doing so, the panel ultimately considered a number of crimes and offenses against sexual integrity and self-determination, the long period of the offense, and the assaults on two victims as aggravating factors. However, the court saw the previously orderly lifestyle up to the report and the act being attributed to a serious and lasting psychological disorder as mitigating factors.

The compensations awarded to the victims by the first court and the indefinite relevant professional ban imposed on the defendant remained unchallenged. The verdict is final.

(APA/Red)

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