The Banality of Evil: Stéphane de Navacelle on Rwanda, Church Abuse and Corporate Justice

Content warning: This episode discusses sexual violence against children, institutional abuse and genocide, including accounts that some listeners may find distressing.

The conversation explores:
- Rwanda proceedings: transferring cases between jurisdictions, delayed justice and the responsibility to speak up.
- Abuse in the French Catholic Church: institutional silence, safeguards and the courage required to disclose harm.
- Truth and forgiveness: acknowledging facts, committing not to repeat harm and making reparation—and how these differ from punishment.
- The importance of listening to victims, and how legal proceedings can cause further distress.
- Vicarious harm: the emotional burden on investigators, judges and others who work with traumatic testimony.
- Corporate accountability: internal investigations, whistleblowing, French financial crime enforcement and negotiated settlements.
- AI, online anonymity and the tension between prevention, accountability and misuse of power.

A central takeaway: responding to a disclosure does not always require an immediate solution. Listening and acknowledging the trust placed in you can matter.