Premier Hints at Inquiry into Church Sex Abuse

ABC News
April 13, 2012

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-04-13/premier-hints-at-inquiry-into-church-sex-abuse/3947976?section=vic

[with video]

Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu has hinted at an inquiry into sex abuse within the Catholic church.

Police first revealed on 7.30 Victoria last July that dozens of suicides were linked to sex abuse by Catholic clergy.

The Age newspaper has revived the case today, citing increased pressure for an inquiry.

Mr Baillieu called it a "significant cause for concern" for the Government.

He says the Cummins Inquiry on protecting vulnerable children recommended further examination of the issue. But he stopped short of promising an inquiry.

"That is something we're examining the options on now," he told ABC local radio.

"The Attorney [General] is looking at this very carefully and we have a group of senior ministers who are looking at these issues.

"There are a number of recommendations out of the Cummins Inquiry and we'll be dealing with those and there will be some announcements about some of those quite shortly."

Dr Vivian Waller, a lawyer who represents victims of clergy sexual abuse, says there are a huge number of victims who have taken their own lives.

"If we work with the law reform commission figures that only about 10 per cent of sexual assaults are actually reported, on that basis I'm prepared to say that the 45 men I currently act for probably represent only the tip of the iceberg," she said.

"Those are the victims of Catholic clergy sexual abuse that are still living and able to voice their concerns."

Dr Waller says the large number of suicides has compelled other victims to speak out.

Victorian Greens MP Colleen Hartland says it is time a royal commission was established to examine clergy abuse.

"I was raised as a Catholic. I know the power of the priest and I know that you never, ever spoke against the priest," she said.

"So for people to even be coming out now and talking about these issues, it takes a lot of courage and their courage should be matched by the State Government."

But the Catholic Archbishop of Melbourne, Denis Hart, says there has been no cover-up.

"Since 1996, the independent commissioner in Melbourne has received about 330 complaints and he has upheld over 320 of them," Archbishop Hart said.

Archbishop Hart says the church encourages all abuse victims to go to the police, and there have been several prosecutions.

"16 Melbourne priests have been convicted, there has been no cover-up," the Archbishop said.

Coroner's brief

Victoria Police is preparing a brief for the coroner on the issue.

Deputy Commissioner Graham Ashton says a long-running investigation is close to making a recommendation to the coroner.

"We're not yet saying that we do need a coronial inquiry," he said.

"But if we find there are systemic links and deaths, no matter where they occurred, or there are broader issues that need to be fixed in relation to ensuring that further deaths don't occur, then it's our responsibility to make sure the coroner is aware of those facts."

He says the church has provided information when it has been asked but has not come forward independently to report abuse claims.

"We're very conscious of trying to get the best justice outcomes for the victims," Deputy Commissioner Ashton said.

"They haven't refused our requests when we've gone to them for information. We will get that information from the church.

"We believe there's also an onus on the church when they see matters to let us know about them rather than wait for victims to come directly to us about them."

The Cummins Inquiry also called for mandatory reporting of abuse claims made against the clergy.

Deputy Commissioner Ashton says Victoria Police has made submissions to the Government on the report, but would not say if the force supports mandatory reporting.

But he says the church should immediately report all allegations of abuse to police, rather than allowing them to be dealt with through internal church investigations.

"That's our position, absolutely...and we've told them [the church] that," he said.

"What we want to do is hear about these cases from the church when they hear about them."