Norbert Denef

Who is Norbert Denef?

Norbert Denef is a German victim of sexual abuse in the Roman Catholic church.

Denef was abused in his hometown Delitzsch between the ages of 10 and 16 by a priest, and from 16 to 18 by the parish's organist. The first offender, Alfons Kamphusmann, had been a priest since 1952. He worked in Droyßig, Delitzsch, Nordhausen, Langenweddingen, Hecklingen, Wittenberg Piesteritz and Niedertiefenbach. He retired in 1990 and died eight years later. The second offender, an organist and choir leader of the parish, retired and was never sued.

Denef lived on quietly, became the technical manager of the theater in Rüsselsheim, a husband and father of two children. He suppressed the memory of his past. The first offender officiated at his wedding. At the age of 40, Denef had a breakdown. After that he had to learn to speak about its history, beginning in November 1993 with his family of origin. He was offered compensation from the Diocese of Magdeburg in 2003, but refused the obligation to keep secrecy. In 2005 he received 25.000 Euro. Denef is believed to be the first victim in Germany who obtained compensation from the Roman Catholic church for sexual abuse in childhood.