Thousands of Dutch children have been abused within the Dutch Catholic church between 1945 and 1981, a government investigation committee reported on Friday in The Hague.

Between estimated 10,000 and 20,000 children were abused in Catholic schools, boarding schools and orphanages. Several thousands of them were severely sexually abused.

The commission, headed by politician Wim Deetman, had received a total of 1795 reports of sexual abuse within the Catholic Church. Based on these reports, the committee tracked down approximately 800 names of perpetrators, working in dioceses, religious orders and congregations.

According to the commission, 105 of these 800 persons are still alive. It is unclear how many of them are still active within the church.

One of the main conclusions of the report was that the problem of sexual abuse was known within the orders and dioceses of the Catholic church. However, no adequate action was taken, and no appropriate attention was given to the victims. Cases of abuse have ended up covered up to prevent scandals.

Representatives of the Catholic church immediately came with a reaction on the presentation of the report.

"It fills us with shame and sorrow, "said Wim Eik, Archbishop of Utrecht,"Not only the perpetrators are to blame, but the Church authorities who did not act accurate and did make care of victims a priority, are responsible as well. We express our regret."

Deetman wants Dutch politics to set up an integrated and effective approach to prevent violence and abuse against minors. According to commission, abuse of minors is something that occurs not only within Catholic institutions.

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