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	Independent Panel Needed, Says Geelong's Fr Dillon By Carl Dickens Geelong Advertiser August 12, 2009 http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/article/2009/08/12/92841_news.html GEELONG Catholic priest Father Kevin Dillon has backed a review of the Melbourne Archdiocese's handling of sexual abuse cases. Appearing on ABC TV's Lateline last night, the St Mary's parish priest said the church's so-called Melbourne Response should be reviewed to ensure victims were being dealt with acceptably. "This strategy has been in place for 13 years, and to my knowledge it has never been subject to any major review ... I think that could be helpful," Fr Dillon said. The priest, who has spoken to several victims of abuse during his 40-year priesthood, said he could not say whether or not the current response was working. Fr Dillon's comments followed mounting pressure from an interstate bishop-backed group formed by 13 sexual abuse victims with their families and advocates, calling for an overview of the strategy. What are your thoughts on this story? Tell us using the feedback form below Fr Dillon said he did not fear backlash from Melbourne Archbishop Denis Hart, who this week dismissed the need to review the Melbourne Response. "I don't think I'm being disloyal to the archbishop, I just think I'm giving a different opinion," Fr Dillon said. "It seems strange to say that the system cannot be improved." He said a review should be conducted by an independent review panel of three people who were approved both by the church and by abuse victims. "Then, this panel should ask victims, 'do you feel you were looked after in a just and appropriate manner?'." "It's only in asking that question that you're able to manage this and correct things if they need to be corrected," he said. The Melbourne Response has handled about 450 cases and offered up to $55,000 to about 280 abuse victims since it was set up by archbishop George Pell in 1996.
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