After suspected abuse in a municipal kindergarten became known, City Councilor Christoph Wiederkehr announced a child protection concept. The staff at the affected location was increased.
A special meeting of the municipal council committee responsible for kindergartens took place in the Vienna City Hall on Tuesday. youth councillor Christopher return (Neos) informed the factions about the Allegations against a teacher who is said to have assaulted children entrusted to him. The further timetable in the cause was also presented, it was said after the meeting.
After the incidents became known – some of which are said to have taken place a year ago – Wiederkehr convened a commission to examine the allegations. A report from the committee should be available by the end of June. Recently, not only the incidents themselves were discussed, but also the city’s information policy: Many parents only found out about the allegations against the man 13 months after the first case.
increased staff
The Neos politician resigned in a press conference about two weeks ago a child protection concept for all municipal Viennese kindergartens. This should be presented in autumn, as a spokesman for Wiederkehr announced. In addition, the workforce at the affected location was increased. The head of Municipal Department 10, Daniela Cochlar, and youth attorney Ercan Nik Nafs also took part in the special session.
Die The Vienna Public Prosecutor’s Office is currently investigating four suspected cases. It is about the accusation of serious sexual abuse of minors or the sexual abuse of minors. In the first case, which was a year ago, there is already an expert opinion. In the three cases that have only recently become known, expert opinions have yet to be obtained.
Lawyer wants to sue the city of Vienna
A lawyer is also heavily involved in the case as the legal representative of parents whose children were cared for in the facility. Johannes Bügler now represents seven pairs of parents whose children may be affected, he said. “However, the number will probably increase further, since more parents are constantly contacting me and some appointments are still pending,” says Bügler. The parents reported the suspected cases.
Bügler had also already announced that he wanted to sue the city – for 50,000 euros per affected child, subject to further claims. The lawsuits would be prepared “shortly” by him. To date there has been no communication between him and the city, “because they have not answered my letters,” he reported on the current status.
Opposition demands further steps
The opposition called for further steps on Tuesday. Among other things, the ÖVP advocated the creation of a standardization of parent information. The establishment of an ombudsman was also requested.
The Greens want free, psychological care for parents and their children, as well as supervision for teachers. This must be made available unbureaucratically, it said. The FPÖ, in turn, demanded the immediate suspension of the head of MA 10.
Parents are disappointed
Affected parents were disappointed by the city of Vienna after the meeting. Wiederkehr announced that there will be mediation between parents and teachers. Parents’ representative Katharina Kohlbach criticized Radio Vienna for about three weeks but nothing had happened. The parents are still unsettled, angry and sometimes do not know what really happened in connection with the suspected cases of abuse, said Kohlbach.
Also in Conversation with the “press” criticized a concerned mother after the case came up that one felt left alone by the city. She spoke of “complete misconduct” by MA 10.
(APA/Ed.)