Allegations of Abuse at SOS Children's Village: Investigation Underway

The head of the Guntramsdorf location, Nicole Cerny, appealed not to take out anger over the case on her colleagues and protégés.

"The reporting of the past weeks has, of course, not left our employees unaffected," said Cerny. "Employees who go shopping with our children in the children's village bus are spat on, called child molesters or cover-up artists," Cerny recounted. Cerny also advocated for sensitivity in dealing with children from the children's villages. She therefore addressed media representatives and asked for "a balanced picture of SOS Children's Villages to be portrayed."

Successors for Moser and Cernko Still Unclear

However, it remained unclear on Tuesday whether an interim successor would be sought for the long-standing managing director Christian Moser, who was recently placed on leave. "We are set up in such a way that we can ensure stability here," said managing director Annemarie Schlack. A succession "has not been up for discussion until now." The future composition of the supervisory board also remained open on Tuesday. Recently, former bank manager Willibald Cernko had withdrawn from the committee. Last week, Cernko advocated in an ORF interview on ZiB2 that in the future, the supervisory board of SOS Children's Villages should primarily consist of people with "really deep knowledge" of child protection and pedagogy.

Schlack also did not want to provide details on the full composition of the reform commission led by former OGH President Irmgard Griss, as that was at Griss's discretion. The jurist explained in response to an APA inquiry in the afternoon that, in addition to the three already known members, another expert had already been confirmed, but she did not want to name a name. "This will be communicated tomorrow when we have the first meeting," said Griss.

Ombudsman Offices Increased

Schlack also emphasized that the ombudsman offices had been increased to six specialists. "Former members can turn to them and report any incidents," said the managing director. "These steps show: We are not waiting, we are taking action." She also referred to a compliance area installed in February 2025, which includes a whistleblowing system introduced in 2022. "Even I, as managing director, do not have access here," said Schlack.

Christian Rudisch, head of the children's village in Imst affected by the abuse allegations since 2022, also outlined the requirements for the staff. These are "a completed psychosocial education, several leadership experiences, also leadership competence," said Rudisch.

A report by the weekly newspaper "Falter" about allegations against the SOS Children's Village at the Moosburg location in Carinthia triggered the abuse case in mid-September. Shortly thereafter, allegations also came to light against the children's villages in Imst in Tyrol and in Seekirchen, Salzburg. Meanwhile, the public prosecutors in Klagenfurt, Innsbruck, and Salzburg are investigating.

(APA/Red)

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