Waverley Leader
December 1, 2011
http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/foster-family-take-sexual-abuse-inquiry-call-to-rally-at-parliament/
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OAKLEIGH parents Chrissie and Anthony Foster (pictured) will take to the steps of Parliament House on Sunday as part of a rally demanding an inquiry into sexual abuse in the Catholic Church.
The couple, who have been fighting for justice for their two daughters who were abused by a clergyman, said the event was another small step toward an investigation.
“It’s time for this to be taken out of the hands of the victims and the press and be given to the politicians and judges,” Ms Foster said.
“It just makes perfect sense for politicians to be backing the victims, similar to what happened in Ireland.”
Ms Foster said most victims stayed silent to protect themselves but are crying out for the support of politicians.
“That’s what’s convenient about this all for the church, that it takes so much courage to speak out,” she said.
“There’s so many young victims, like my Emma, whose lives are taken to soon.”
They will be joined by Oakleigh state Labor MP Ann Barker, who has advocated for Victoria to launch a state-wide inquiry.
The rally will request the State Goverment hold an independent inquiry and hand cases of clergy abuse-related suicide to the State Coroner.
Leader revealed in August this year that a research paper by Monash University PhD candidate in law Judy Courtin linked the suicides of 26 young men in Ballarat to clergy abuse.
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