The German Bishops Conference [official website] released a study [report, in German] on Tuesday, which found allegations of sexual abuse of minors by 1,670 clerics [summary, PDF] of the Catholic Church in Germany between 1946 and 2014.

The number of clerics represents 4.4 percent of all of the clerics in Germany in that time frame. The reports specifies that the number is conservative and that the actual number may be higher due to unknown cases. In total, 3,677 children and juveniles were found to be victims of sexual abuse. The age of 22.6 percent of the victims was unknown, and 51.6 percent were under the age of 14.

The maximum number of victims found for a single cleric was 44, which was based on analysis of personnel records from the dioceses. About 42.3 percent of the clerics were accused of having multiple victims. Based on personnel records, the average length of abuse for individual victims was 22.8 months. The average length based on criminal records was 15.3 months, and the average length based on interviews with victims and clerics was 20.3 months.

Proceedings under canon law were initiated against 33.9 ppercent of the clerics accused of abuse, and criminal charges were pursued against 37.7 percent of those accused. Most of the sanctions imposed on canon law were found to be minor and few were dismissed from priesthood.

The personnel files involved in previous investigations were found to have been destroyed or manipulated. The report recommended that “Allegations of abuse should be documented in future in a manner that is binding, uniform, transparent and standardised for all dioceses.” It is also recommended that there be an independent contact point for victims in order to ensure confidentiality. In addition to criminal proceedings, the report states that stronger sanctions and investigations under canon law need to be implemented.

The Catholic Church has faced several charges related to sexual abuse of minors. In August a Pennsylvania grand jury released a report [JURIST Report] alleging the cover-up of 1,000 sexual abuse allegations against 300 priests in Pennsylvania. In February 2017 an Australian report [JURIST Report] found 7 percent of Catholic priests were accused of abusing children.