October 04, 2005

Sex abuse victim rejects compo

AUSTRALIA
The Daily Telegraph

October 05, 2005

THE Anglican church sex abuse victim who brought about the resignation of Governor-General Peter Hollingworth has turned down a $100,000 sex abuse compensation offer from the church.

Beth Heinrich was sexually abused as a teenager in the 1950s by Anglican priest Donald Shearman at a church boarding school in Forbes, central-west NSW.

Mrs Heinrich said she turned down a $100,000 compensation offer from the church, accusing it of failing to act in good faith in negotiations.

She had requested $500,000 and accommodation in Canberra, but the church said it could put only $100,000 on the table, News Ltd newspapers reported today.

"It's outrageous really, when you consider everything I've been through and am still going through as a result of the church's failure in its duty of care with me," Mrs Heinrich said.

"This is the church trying to get me to do what it wants, not what I want. It is hoping I'll just get sick of this."

Posted by kshaw at October 4, 2005 02:56 PM