Press Releases

28.03.10

Subject: Abuse of children

With the emergence of some cases of abuse of students at Schule Schloss Salem in the past, the school has committed itself to investigate these and any other cases fully and without reserve. As has been reported, former students as well as parents and present students have been contacted on this matter. Cases that have been reported on the basis of this appeal are being investigated in detail. In order to deal with the situation, the school is in close contact with the office of the public prosecutor and the former principal, Dr. Bernhard Bueb. It has now become clear that Dr. Bueb’s recent statements on the matter require some correction. The charges against a 24-year old assistant were not dismissed and he was in fact given a suspended sentence of several months in addition to a fine. Moreover, in the past week, a staff member has resigned admitting that he did not observe the appropriate distance in his behaviour towards a student and therefore taking responsibility for his actions. This case will also be referred to the public prosecutor. Furthermore, the school has referred two cases from over 20 years ago.

The school has taken measures to investigate any cases of abuse or of staff members overstepping the line of appropriate professional behaviour. Measures have also been taken to prevent the occurrence of any future cases. These measures include the appointment of two independent medical doctors, one male and one female, who will act as ombudspeople. These doctors have specialist training and experience in psychotherapy. Anyone who has suffered from the inappropriate or abusive behaviour of Salem staff members can confide in either of these people. Any such conversation will be handled in strictest confidence. All parents, staff and all present and former students will receive contact details on Monday 29 March.

The school management will therefore leave it to external persons to judge and evaluate each case. Prosecutable offences will be referred to the appropriate authorities in consultation with victims or complainants. Above all, the ombudspeople will be in a position to provide qualified and competent help to those affected.

In such a serious and complex matter, staff of the school also need support. Not only new staff, but also very experienced teachers are uncertain about the appropriate combination of personal closeness and professional distance in a boarding context. They are forced to examine their own pedagogical decisions and actions. For this reason, the school’s human resources manager is currently organising professional development on the topic of “borderline situations in school and boarding school life”. This training is intended to provide staff with an ethical and professional framework for defining appropriate behaviour and adjusting behaviour as necessary.