In an interview with the internet portal "kirche-und-leben.de" on Friday, the Jesuit (58) reported on a victim who could be financially satisfied with the reappraisal following church payments in recognition of the suffering he had endured.
However, the victim was disappointed that those responsible did not look after him afterwards.
He had hoped for further spiritual counselling.
Zollner said: "The church can't simply put a lid on it. It has to face up to the different expectations of those affected and look for a path that they want and that is feasible for them."
Creating safe spaces
The theologian, psychologist and psychotherapist explained that those affected should be able to find contact persons or groups in every parish to support them.
Safeguarding must be recognised and implemented as part of the church's mission.
Safeguarding means comprehensive measures for child protection and protection from violence of all kinds.
With regard to developments in the global church, Zollner stated that, similar to Germany, prevention work had improved significantly worldwide compared to 2010.
Safeguarding measures are in place in more and more countries. He emphasised the importance of creating safe spaces, relationships and processes. Zollner added: "In many places, we are still at the beginning of the corresponding change in mentality for such comprehensive safeguarding."
Zollner is Director of the Institute of Anthropology at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and Head of the Centre for Child Protection (Institute for the Protection of Minors from Abuse).
He resigned from the Pontifical Child Protection Commission in 2023 after extensive criticism of its working methods.