De Nonnen

In some Catholic institutions, nuns ruled the children entrusted to their care with an iron hand. Six Flemish people testify about their experiences with imprisonment, violence and humiliation in the Zelem orphanage, the holiday colony in Koksijde and the Aarsele boarding school.

Sexual abuse in the Church was not only committed by men. Erik and René testify about years of abuse by nuns. René talks about his struggle for recognition, while Erik tracks down those responsible and confronts living nuns about what happened.

Some monastic orders in Flanders benefited from girls and women with unwanted pregnancies. In addition, they also earned money by selling their babies to adoptive parents, often against the will of the mother. Elise, Lieve and Peter testify about rape, forced adoption and deception

Nuns not only caused suffering outside the monastery, there were also serious abuses inside. Irène, Anne, Monique and An testify about exploitation, abuse and strict discipline. Their stories reveal the harsh monastic life and the struggle for new beginnings after departure.