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	Oakleigh Family's Plea for Church Abuse Inquiry By Tim Michell Waverley Leader August 16, 2011 http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/oakleigh-familys-plea-for-church-abuse-inquiry/ VICTORIAN Attorney-General Robert Clark is considering an inquiry into sexual abuse in the Catholic Church after an impassioned plea from an Oakleigh family fighting for justice for their daughters. Chrissie and Anthony Foster, whose two daughters were abused at a Monash Catholic primary school, met Mr Clark and Oakleigh MP Ann Barker last Wednesday to discuss the possibility of a State Government-led inquiry. After the meeting, Mr Foster said he felt Mr Clark had understood their calls for an inquiry. "It is just the very first step, but I feel like we were listened to very seriously," Mr Foster said. "What we're looking for is an inquiry that looks at the past, present and future processes and practices of the Catholic Church, with an aim to get justice, compassion and care for victims and to ensure there are no more victims in the future." Ms Barker said she would provide more details for Mr Clark. "The fact that we were given so much time was a positive," Ms Barker said. "The Attorney-General indicated that he will be considering all information, and has also requested more from us which we'll be providing this week." Mr Clark's spokesman, James Copsey, described the meeting as constructive and positive. Mr Foster said victims and their families were desperate to get transparency from the church. "Up until now the Catholic Church has passed on certain legal technicalities which have helped them avoid scrutiny," he said. Mr Foster said an inquiry into sexual abuse in the church had been "urgently needed" for at least 15 years and that "hapless" victims had suffered under the present system.
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