"For those affected, this is simply too slow" - Nancy Janz resigns after years of advocating for Church abuse survivors
Nancy Janz, a prominent spokesperson for survivors of sexual violence within the Church, has announced her resignation. Her decision comes after years of advocating for change, citing personal health and family reasons as the primary factors. The move highlights the ongoing struggles survivors face in seeking justice and reform. Janz stepped down despite her commitment to driving change from within the institution. She has repeatedly stressed the need for clearer communication between the Church and those affected by abuse. Survivors continue to find the pace of progress painfully slow, even when legal support improves.
The Church’s bureaucratic structure often delays meaningful action. Procedures for holding responsible parties accountable remain difficult to navigate. Responsibility for enforcing the Recognition Guidelines now rests with regional churches and state associations of the Diakonie.
A uniform process for survivors across all regional churches and diaconal organisations is still the goal. However, leaders must first demonstrate the will to implement it. Germany’s Protestant Church operates as a federal patchwork, which further slows progress for survivors. Janz’s departure underscores the challenges survivors encounter in pushing for reform. The Church’s decentralised system and slow bureaucratic processes continue to hinder swift resolution. Standardisation remains a distant target without stronger leadership commitment.
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