Child Sex Abuse Fears in Oakleigh

By Tim Michell
Waverley Leader
January 26, 2012

http://waverley-leader.whereilive.com.au/news/story/child-sex-abuse-fears-in-oakleigh/

Chrissie and Anthony Foster

Chrissie and Anthony Foster

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AN Oakleigh family is praying they have not been victims of a three-month smokescreen as the State Government prepares to release a report into vulnerable children on Friday.

Chrissie and Anthony Foster, who have campaigned for a Royal Commission into sex abuse in the Catholic Church, are awaiting the results of the Protecting Victoria’s Vulnerable Children Inquiry.

Ms Foster said they hoped adding the terms of reference relating to church sexual abuses to an existing inquiry was not simply a stalling tactic.

“We’re hopeful that it’s not just a delaying tactic and we can get the response we’re after.”

In October last year, the government announced the inquiry would include an examination of the reporting of alleged abuses by Victorian churches and whether it should be made mandatory.

Ms Foster said she was worried the inquiry may have overlooked the possibility of a Royal Commission.

Regardless of the outcome, Ms Foster said she would continue to advocate for a Royal Commission.

“A Royal Commission is something that we’ve been told the inquiry might look at,” she said.

“If it didn’t look at it, then there are still questions to be answered by the Attorney-General.”

A spokesman for Attorney-General Robert Clark, James Copsey, said the Government would look closely at the findings.

“The Government is awaiting the findings and recommendations before deciding whether or not there should be any further inquiry into issues relating to sexual abuse within church or other organisations.”