WRITTEN QUESTION E-2581/98

by Philippe Monfils (ELDR) to the Commission

(1 September 1998)

Subject: Rape and sexual abuse of children at a European Union crèche

The Belgian judicial authorities have charged two members of staff at the Clovis crèche, an establishment falling under the Union's responsibility, with rape and sexual abuse of children attending the crèche.

The incidents are alleged to have taken place between January and July 1997.

For months, parents have been coming up against the conspiracy of silence being maintained by the Commission as well as by the crèche staff and the powers-that-be.

1. When did the Commission learn of the shocking incidents at the crèche?

2. By whom was it informed?

3. Did it immediately report the incidents to the Belgian judicial authorities?

4. Did it immediately contact the parents concerned?

5. Has it arranged psychological and/or medical follow-up care for the children?

6. Did it take the immediate precaution of removing the suspects? In other words, did the suspects continue to frequent the crèche after the Commission had learnt of the scandal?

7. Does the Commission not consider it essential to end the current system whereby the crèches are run and staff selected by a body practically independent of the Union?

8. Since the serious incidents occurred and in anticipation of a possible reform of the system, has the Commission taken steps to:

- tighten up its supervision of the running of Union crèches?

- check the aptitude of the staff recruited?

Answer given by Mr Liikanen on behalf of the Commission

(16 October 1998)

1. and 2. On 29 May 1997 a parent complained to the management of the Clovis crèche alleging mistreatment and sexual abuse of their child, the crèche being one of the places attended by the child. The Management Committee of the crèche was informed the same day by the Director of the crèche who had received the complainant.

3. Yes. The Commission contacted the judicial authorities as soon as it was informed of the facts of the incident. It assisted the judicial authorities thereafter.

4. Yes.

5. The parents refused the psycho-medical help offered by the Commission, preferring to call on an outside specialist body. However, with the assistance of the "Association des parents des crèches" and the "SOS enfants" association, the Commission organised group hearings for parents using the Clovis crèche.

6. On 28 June 1997, the Brussels Prosecution Service opened proceedings following the lodging of a complaint. The Commission Security Office immediately took precautionary measures to ensure the children's safety. There were no immediate accusations against individual staff members at the Clovis crèche.

The two teachers who came under suspicion subsequently ended their services under contract to Esedra at the end of the 1996-97 school year. They took leave from 27 July and 1 August 1997 and were no longer in Belgium when the rumours about them started up. The intention had been to extend both contracts from the beginning of October 1997 to the end of December 1997, which is why they returned on 6 October 1997. At this point the management of the establishment decided to drop them both and cancelled the extension of their contracts. These two teachers have not worked at the Clovis crèche since 6 October 1997.

7. Of the three interinstitutional crèches in Brussels, two are directly managed by the Commission, and one by a private firm under Belgian law for which the tender procedure was launched. The organisation and operation of the Clovis crèche and the recruitment conditions for the staff are in accordance with the quality standards laid down in the Commission specification, the application of which is regularly checked by its departments. Since identical criteria are applied to all three crèches, whether managed directly by the Commission or by a private firm, there is no difference in the service provided. The Commission does not, therefore, consider there is any causal link between the type of management, i.e. whether a crèche is managed directly or by a sub-contractor, and the occurrence of such incidents in a crèche.

8. Over the years the Commission has set up the necessary conditions to ensure proper supervision of the crèches in keeping with the high standards expected of a child-minding service. Since the above incidents, in particular at the Clovis crèche, different types of check, including checks of the operation and of the staff, have been made according to the normal schedule. However, in view of the circumstances, there is an obvious need for coordination meetings and more sustained specific checks, with a twofold goal of reinforcing security and facilitating the inquiry. In addition, the Commission maintains contacts with the Office National de l'Enfance (ONE), a body engaged in the inspection of day-care facilities in the Brussels region with a view to setting up a system of collaboration in terms of supervising management and studying mistreatment.