Sexually exploited children – Report relieves controversial Zurich victim advice center – News

  • After an SRF documentary about ritual and satanic violence, the canton of Zurich launched an investigation at the “Castagna” advice center.
  • The reason: the co-director commented in the report on alleged rituals of sexual abuse and caused a stir.
  • The external investigation now gives the advice center, which is co-financed by the Canton of Zurich, good marks.

The canton of Zurich initiated the investigation based on statements by the co-director of “Castagna”. In the SRF documentary, she did not doubt that descriptions of ritualized abuse could be true. You have already heard that, in addition to animals, “human beings” are also sacrificed in such rituals. Several perpetrators take part and would also pay money for it, she said.

Clients are not affected

However, there is no evidence of such rituals. The fact that supposed satanists torture children in cruel rituals is considered a conspiracy story. According to experts, it is problematic when therapists believe in such theories or spread them. Because there is a risk that they will talk such a story into mentally ill people.

The appearance of the co-leader also raised questions in the canton of Zurich. He therefore commissioned an external consulting firm to conduct an investigation. The company checked numerous documents and conducted interviews with employees. Now the report relieves the victim advice center “Castagna”.

Canton of Zurich continues to rely on cooperation

According to a statement from the canton, the consultants worked very carefully and professionally. There is no evidence that they steer or influence their clients in any particular direction. The word “satanic” is not found in any of the more than 1,300 dossiers.

Only in two cases were aspects mentioned that could be described as “ritual”. If the topic of organized sexual violence comes up for a person, this will be discussed immediately in the team and with managers.

Ombudsman investigated the report


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After the broadcast, the co-director criticized the SRF report. She said her statements were taken out of context. The ombudsman received 70 complaints. But as this writes, the report was “mostly correct”.

The creators of the contribution went to work carefully, it says, among other things. However, the complaints are approved on one point: it would have been necessary to mention in the report why the voices of those affected were not included.

The canton of Zurich therefore continues to work with the victim counseling center. Last year, this was financially supported with almost 800,000 francs. The co-director of “Castagna” could not be reached for a personal statement. As the victim advice center writes in an e-mail, she is “very pleased” with the result.

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