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	Archbishop Hart Responds to Victims" Call CathNews September 6, 2011 http://www.cathnews.com/article.aspx?aeid=28019 The Archbishop of Melbourne Denis Hart has rejected claims of bullying of vulnerable victims, the perversion of justice and breaches of ethical professional practice, according to a statement. The statement is in response to a call by the Melbourne Victims Collective, reported in the Age on September 3, for an investigation into the handling of sexual abuse complaints in the Archdiocese, "We are familiar with these sorts of sweeping allegations from the 'Collective', but when asked to provide evidence or details, they fall silent," he said on the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne website. "The Melbourne Response is a genuine and sincere attempt by the Archdiocese to help victims of sexual abuse. It offers an alternative to those who do not wish to proceed through protracted and public court proceedings. "I understand that many victims of clergy sexual abuse have suffered enormously and have been the victims of unspeakable crimes that have affected their lives in a traumatic way. "Each element of the Melbourne Response is led by people of the highest professional standing, who bring the appropriate professionalism and independence to their difficult tasks. I am confident that the vast majority of victims are satisfied with the assistance they receive, while acknowledging that no amount of support can ever wholly undo the wrongs perpetrated upon them. "The Independent Commissioner has upheld approximately 310 complaints of sexual abuse in the Archdiocese of Melbourne since the Melbourne Response commenced in 1996. "It is only in a relatively small number of cases that matters are reportable to police as the majority of complaints are against priests who have died or who have been convicted of the abuse complained of. "Others involve participants in adult relationships that involve a breach of vows and a power imbalance, but do not constitute criminal conduct. "If the conduct in respect to which the complaint is made may constitute criminal conduct, the Independent Commissioner informs the complainant of their continuing and unfettered right to report the matter to the police and he encourages the exercise of that right. "The published information on the Melbourne Response also encourages the reporting of criminal conduct to the police. It is the strong preference of the Archdiocese and the Independent Commissioner that where there are allegations of criminal paedophile abuse made against a priest who is alive and at liberty, these be dealt with by the police first. However, the wishes of the complainant are always respected. "The Independent Commissioner only investigates complaints once the complainant has acknowledged that they do not wish to go to the police. To criticise the Independent Commissioner for not reporting matters to the police in these circumstances, as the 'Collective' has done, is scurrilous. "Would the 'Collective' propose that victims' wishes be ignored? "The Independent Commissioner has dealt with approximately 90 offenders of whom 65 were incardinated priests of the Archdiocese, the majority of whom are deceased or had been convicted. Of the remainder, many involve conduct that was not criminal. "From the complaints which have been upheld, 303 offers of compensation have been accepted and only 4 offers made have not been accepted as at August 2011. "While I accept that the number of cases of abuse is both distressing and unacceptable, the figures also speak for themselves in demonstrating that, through the Melbourne Response, the Archdiocese is dealing purposefully with the betrayal of authority and trust which is every instance of sexual abuse. "Because the Melbourne Response is working, and because of a fundamental concern to protect the privacy of victims who elect to seek assistance through the Melbourne Response, I do not believe that an external review is necessary or would benefit victims." "I express my disappointment that once again the Age newspaper has published criticisms of the Church, Mr O'Callaghan and the other distinguished professionals who lead the Melbourne Response without giving any prior opportunity for a response." Archbishop Hart's full statement can be found by following the link below.
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