The international NGO SOS Children's Villages announced Thursday it was investigating cases of violence, particularly sexual violence, and fraud, committed in the 1990s in around twenty of its structures.

"There are obvious weaknesses in our organization," admitted its director.

The director general of the international NGO SOS Children's Villages, Elisabeth Hauser, on Thursday revealed "cases of serious violations of child protection and mismanagement in some countries in Africa and Asia," in a statement published from the headquarters in Vienna, saying she was "deeply shocked".

The NGO has announced that it is investigating these cases of violence, particularly sexual violence, and fraud, committed since the 1990s in around twenty of its structures.

"Obvious weaknesses" and suppressed sexual abuse

"There are obvious weaknesses in our organization (...) and accusations that the leaders of SOS Children's Villages were aware of certain incidents but did not take action," added the director.

According to a spokesperson contacted by AFP, "sexual abuse" has been reported, while whistleblowers have been "dismissed" and the word of minors "questioned".

For example, Elisabeth Hauser brought up to the press the case of a child placed in solitary confinement and subject to a ban on visiting his own parents, due to poor school results.

Inappropriate management of funds, compensation expected

Regarding the inappropriate management of funds, the director mentioned calls for tenders for works won by relatives of officials of SOS Children's Villages. The association, which launched an initial internal review three years ago and ordered a further investigation in November 2020, has now set up an independent commission intended to shed light on these events by the end of 2022. It plans to compensate the victims, whose number is not specified, with the help of a fund of "several million euros".

Founded after the Second World War in Austria, the NGO, today present in 137 countries where it manages around 550 charitable structures and has 40,000 employees, supports 1.2 million orphans or children in need through the world.

In 2014, she had already faced accusations of child abuse in Austria, during a period from the 1950s to the 1990s.