Emmaüs, founded in 1949 by Abbé Pierre, has played a vital role in supporting the homeless and vulnerable populations, growing to include 38,000 members in France.

Abbé Pierre, who passed away in 2007, is currently facing 33 accusations of sexual violence, revealed through three reports by the consulting firm Egaé, commissioned by Emmaüs and the Abbé Pierre Foundation.

The first report, published in July 2024, detailed testimonies of harassment and sexual assaults, shocking many due to Abbé Pierre's previous status as an icon for the underprivileged.

In response to these allegations, the French Catholic Church has requested a legal investigation, although challenges may arise due to the age of the claims, which span from the 1950s to the 2000s.

On January 21, 2025, during an extraordinary general assembly, 91% of participants voted to remove the mention of Abbé Pierre from the Emmaüs logo due to the allegations of sexual violence against him.

The phrase 'founder Abbé Pierre' was previously included in small print under the association's name, alongside a blue square and yellow sun symbol.

Emmaüs stated that the removal of Abbé Pierre's mention aligns with their commitment to recognizing and respecting the victims of his alleged actions.

Bruno Morel, president of Emmaüs France, emphasized the need to continue serving vulnerable populations while acknowledging the movement's history with Abbé Pierre.

Bruno Morel expressed a desire to turn a painful page for both the victims of abuse and the movement itself.

The most recent report, released just a week before the logo vote, included new testimonies, leading Emmaüs to label Abbé Pierre as a 'predator'.

This decision was made during an extraordinary general assembly, where representatives from around 300 structures voted overwhelmingly in favor of the change.

Emmaüs France has permanently closed a memorial site dedicated to Abbé Pierre in Esteville, Seine-Maritime, and has advised its affiliates to remove any visual references to him.