Victims of sexual abuse at Jose Done School in Bermeo have begun to obtain reparation almost four years after the process began

Three ofthe victims who reported in the late 70s and early 80s that they had been sexually abused 00A00 at the José San José School in Bermeo have managedto completethe repair process  and receive compensation 0.

After a long process of investigation and reparation, they have received an apology, compensation and, if necessary, funding for psychological treatment.

Three years and eight months later, in a statement sent to EITB, they have concluded the process and said that "the truth has finally been known", and they also wanted to convey their "thanks" to those who have accompanied them on this path, "to all those who have listened to us and supported us."

The case of these sexual abuse was known\ u00A0 in February 2022, when EITB, after an investigation, reported the complaint filed by several women in the Dioceseof Bilbao . who had been director of the school between 1979 and 1981, reported sexual assault on them and since then declared that they felt "pain" inside and were "disgusted" by this man.

In a few days, more victims joined these allegations. In Bermeo, total, there were 16 . Some of them also reported that other school teachers were aware of these facts and that there were therefore accomplices inside the school. 

The victims also activated the ordinary judicial procedure by filing complaints with the Ertzaintza , but the offences were time-barred. 

A few months later, EITB reported that the religious had alsoabused the Berrio-Otxoa school in Santutxu , Bilbao, through the testimony of some of the victims in the capital. After his stay in Bermeo, he was sent to the school in Santutxu, where he served as guardian and director of EGB between 1982 and 1988.

Statements of condemnation

As a result of all these allegations, the Institute of Christian Instruction Brothers (Menesians) condemned child abuse and demanded "forgiveness for the suffering caused", although it did not expressly mention the Bermeo school.

For its part, the Bermeo City Council unanimously adopted an institutional declaration condemning the "serious and unacceptable" abuses reported and urging the institutions to take action.

Process "with ups and downs"

The Diocese of Bilbao beganthe process of investigating the allegations  and repairing the victims, and in December 2022 the matter reached the Vatican. Biktim acknowledges that it has been a path of "many incidents". Among other things, in one of the meetings they held with those responsible for the investigation, the accused confessed the facts andshowed them a private video of  asking for forgiveness.

Three years and eight months later, however, they have concluded the process and said that "the truth has finally been known", and they also wanted to convey their "thanks" to those who have accompanied them along this road, "to all those who have listened to us and supported us."