It is all too common for persons who have been treated well by powerholders to
state it impossible that their mentor abused others.
The common retort is "But that was not my experience."
Here is the latest example. This situation is one of clergy abuse at a
Catholic boarding school and choir.
But the dynamics apply just as much to a Hindu ashram, Buddhist sangha, or other human potential group.
Culture of Silence’ Abetted Abuse of at Least 547 German Choir Boys, Inquiry Finds
state it impossible that their mentor abused others.
The common retort is "But that was not my experience."
Here is the latest example. This situation is one of clergy abuse at a
Catholic boarding school and choir.
But the dynamics apply just as much to a Hindu ashram, Buddhist sangha, or other human potential group.
Culture of Silence’ Abetted Abuse of at Least 547 German Choir Boys, Inquiry Finds
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As in other institutions in which longstanding patterns of abuse have come to light, a combination of shame, secrecy and impunity contributed to the abuses at the music school in Regensburg, which is about 70 miles northeast of Munich, in southeastern Germany.
The abuse remained taboo, discussed only among some of the victims, who felt ostracized by their fellow alumni.
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As in other institutions in which longstanding patterns of abuse have come to light, a combination of shame, secrecy and impunity contributed to the abuses at the music school in Regensburg, which is about 70 miles northeast of Munich, in southeastern Germany.
The abuse remained taboo, discussed only among some of the victims, who felt ostracized by their fellow alumni.
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"...some victims said that not every former student had been abused, and others had fond memories of their time at the school and their participation in the choir.
This was, the report found, in line with the culture of keeping the abuse behind closed doors, which meant that anyone who was not a victim had a hard time conceiving how it could have been carried out.
Over the years, the report found, this “split reality” led to misunderstandings and rifts among the alumni, some of whom could not fathom what had happened when the revelations began to emerge.
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For some, Father Ratzinger embodied a musical perfectionist who sought success above all else, while others recalled him as being quick with a slap, and having no compunction against throwing a chair or music stand into the choir.
Many recalled him picking favorites, which meant the best singers had no problems with him, while others were beaten or slapped for singing a wrong note.
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The sexual abuse ranged from “leering looks or verbal abuse, to the forced consummation of pornography, unwanted sexual touching to forced sex,” the report said.
Along with the physical and sexual abuse, many victims suffered psychological abuse and bullying from classmates who mirrored the hierarchy and from the school’s strict educational style.