Overview
- Janz announced she is stepping down as the volunteer spokesperson for victims in the EKD/Diakonie participation forum on sexualized violence.
- She cited overwork and disappointment at the lack of tangible progress in addressing and preventing abuse within Protestant church institutions.
- Janz said victims were sometimes used as an “alibi” in decision-making and that forum recommendations were questioned or delayed by regional churches.
- The recognition guideline intended to offer low-threshold acknowledgment is applied inconsistently, with Niedersachsen and Bremen requiring a prior criminal complaint and state proceedings.
- Her resignation follows the autumn departure of co-spokesperson Detlev Zander and a shrinking victim contingent in the forum, while EKD representative Dorothee Wüst voiced regret and said the concerns are being taken seriously.