Sex Abuse LED to 26 Suicides Says Policeman, by Nick McKenzie and Richard Baker, The Age, July 30, 2011

Sex Abuse LED to 26 Suicides Says Policeman

By Nick McKenzie and Richard Baker
The Age
July 30, 2011

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/sex-abuse-led-to-26-suicides-says-policeman-20110729-1i4f0.html?from=age_sb

Father Gerald Ridsdale. Photo: Geoff Ampt

AS MANY as 26 Victorians have committed suicide after being abused by two notorious paedophile clergymen, according to information gathered by a senior Victorian detective.

In interviews with a university researcher, Detective Sergeant Kevin Carson of the Ballarat Crimes Investigation Unit has revealed that during his investigations into Father Gerald Risdale and Christian Brother Robert Best - which led to both being convicted - he discovered that up to 24 young men had killed themselves in the years after they were abused by one or both of the men.

Detective Carson has recently learned of two more suicides, bringing his count to 26.

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A research paper prepared by lawyer Judy Courtin, a PhD candidate in law at Monash University, examining the Catholic Church and child sexual assault, says that according to Detective Carson, the information about the suicides was discovered during the course of recent investigations into Best's abuse.

Detective Carson told The Saturday Age he was unable to speak to the media about his findings, but stood by the information in the research paper and was prepared to testify about it before any official, broader inquiry.

The research paper says: ''Detective Sergeant Carson has a list of the full names of these young men and the circumstances surrounding some of the suicides. The detective did not go in search of this material. This information was provided to the detective during his routine investigations into the sexual assault crimes of Brother Robert Best [and Risdale].''

According to information uncovered by Detective Carson, those who have killed themselves after being abused include up to 18 young men who attended St Alipius Primary Boys School in Ballarat, four who attended St Leo's school in Box Hill and two who attended a Catholic primary school in Horsham.

According to the research paper, one victim from Ballarat who was sexually assaulted by Best, and who was interviewed by Detective Carson, ''told of many other boys he knew who had committed suicide over the years.'' Some of the living victims of Best have also told Detective Carson that they were contemplating suicide.

The revelation of the suicides comes amid growing pressure on the Baillieu government to launch a formal inquiry into the Catholic Church's handling of sexual assault complaints in Victoria.

State Labor MP Ann Barker, who has just returned from Ireland where she studied government-initiated inquiries into the Catholic Church's response to sexual abuse cases, told The Saturday Age that she had written to Attorney-General Robert Clark to request a meeting to discuss the need for a similar investigation in Victoria.

The head of the Ballarat archdiocese, Bishop Peter Connors, said yesterday he had met 30 or more victims of sexual abuse during his 14 years at Ballarat and had always apologised for ''the horrible effect it has on them''.

He said he had heard people talk about several suicides in the area.

Bishop Connors said he was open to the prospect of an inquiry in Victoria.

How to get help

If you have been the victim of sexual abuse, you can seek help at any time through the Victorian Centres Against Sexual Assault by calling 1800 806 292 or going to www.casa.org.au.

For other help or information, visit www.beyondblue.org.au call Suicide Helpline Victoria on 1300 651 251 or Lifeline on 131 114