Churchs Abuse Response under Fire, by Ben Wise, 3AW, August 10, 2009

Church's Abuse Response under Fire

By Ben Wise
3AW
August 10, 2009

http://www.3aw.com.au/blogs/3aw-generic-blog/churchs-abuse-response-under-fire/20090810-eeyd.html

There are renewed calls for Melbourne's Catholic Church to overhaul its handling of sexual abuse cases, with allegations a priest accused of abusing a minor was told beforehand that he was the subject of a covert police probe, undermining the investigation.

There are also concerns over whether the so-called 'Melbourne Response', the system put in place by the Church to handle sexual abuse matters, is too intimidating for victims.

The Melbourne Response was set up by Archbishop George Pell in 1996 and has handled about 450 cases. Its inquiry arm is headed by a church-appointed barrister and respected Queen's Counsel, Peter O'Callaghan, while its compensation panel has offered up to $55,000 to about 280 abuse victims. All but six have accepted the pay-out.

In dismissing these claims, Bishop Les Tomlinson told The Age: "You could perhaps draw a conclusion that there is what could be termed a victims' industry … willing to exploit these victims for their own gain."

However, speaking to 3AW's Neil Mitchell on Monday, Archbishop Denis Hart stressed his compassion for the victims before saying that if these victims employ lawyers and advocates the process of compensation and responsibility can become 'very complicated'.

"I think the real great tragedy is that there have been any victims at all. The huge suffering of people who have been abused by priests and others they should have been able to trust tears at my soul. It's a tremendous burden and felt by many of our priests," Archbishop Hart told 3AW.

"Our Melbourne Response was designed as an independent system without the need for representation – and we're not represented either – so when they go to the independent commissioner they are able to go and tell their story or when they go to the panel for voluntary compensation the same thing."

"I would say some groups speaking on behalf of victims are representing a small group. I think some people are giving victims support, and that is their right, I wouldn't describe it as a 'victims' industry'."

"Obviously there are difficulties when a person begins with us and then, as is their absolute right, they change over to the normal legal system. But it does make things very complicated."

Neil Mitchell then quizzed Archbishop Hart on whether a priest accused of abuse - convicted sex offender Paul Pavlou - was told beforehand he was the subject of a covert investigation by police?

"The independent commissioner, Peter O'Callaghan, would dispute the account published in The Age today by the victim's lawyer – and in particular he says the victim's lawyer didn't tell him the police investigation was covert. He asserts he was not told that he shouldn't tell the priest."

The Age reported: "Pavlou was informed of the police inquiry by a church-appointed investigator in July 2007, only days after his victim's lawyer requested that the priest not be told of the investigation. Three weeks later, police raided Pavlou's house and discovered the priest's computer had been wiped. They also found a letter warning him of their inquiry."

The interview on 3AW Mornings today prompted an emotional call from 'Brian', who told Neil Mitchell how sexual abuse in his early life has caused him enormous stress and resulted in him contracting a terminal illness.

"I was in a terrible place in my youth called St Vincent's De Paul in South Melbourne and the sexual assault down there was absolutely rampant and then I went to a place called Morning Star – and that was closed down by the government it was so bad," said Brian.

"There were suicides then around 30 years ago and I am sure there are right now. I was offered $7,000 by the Catholic Church about three years ago."

Brian said he rejected the cash offer on the grounds it was an 'insulting' amount.

"They have offered counselling but I honestly think money helps regarding – well, you've got a lot of hate. A lot of people just never got on with their life," he said.

"I think a lot of the want to leave something for their kids. They just want to leave $100,000 or something. I am fighting suicide all the time and I have a terminal virus I caught at Morning Star and I have lost two marriages."

"The virus was from the abuse, which was certainly horrific and I ended up in jail over the years … I just didn't know where I was going."

Brian said he was told 18 months ago that he had six months left to live.