L’Arche Canada says it has made changes since Vanier allegations

[ad_1]

Charity L’Arche Canada says it has made changes to protect staff, volunteers and participants since sexual assault allegations against founder Jean Vanier first came to light in 2020.

The international office of the developmental aid organization released an investigative report on Monday that identified at least 25 women who were allegedly sexually assaulted by Jean Vanier between 1952 and 2019, including in Canada and India. .

A previous report, published in February 2020, concluded that Vanier had manipulative sex with at least six women between 1975 and 1990 in France.

Lori Vaanholt, deputy national director of L’Arche Canada, says the charity’s 37 branches around the world have been audited since 2020 to ensure staff, volunteers and people with developmental disabilities are protected against attacks. Vaanholt said a second audit is underway this year.

She said L’Arche Canada has also worked with people with intellectual disabilities to teach them language tools for reporting abuse.

The report released Monday claims Jean Vanier used her power to engage in manipulative sex, but investigators have found no evidence that any of her victims have an intellectual disability.

– This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on January 31, 2023

[ad_2]