Child Abuse: Parliamentary Inquiry Welcomed

By Melissa Cunningham
Maroondah Weekly
April 23, 2012

http://www.maroondahweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/child-abuse-parliamentary-inquiry-welcomed/2531070.aspx

Victim hope: Ian Lawther, whose son was sexually abused by a priest, is hoping the parliamentary inquiry will stop incidents of similar abuse. Picture: Rob Carew

A YARRA Ranges parent has welcomed news of a parliamentary inquiry into the handling of alleged criminal abuse of children by religious organisations.

Victorian Premier Ted Baillieu announced the inquiry last week and said it would focus on abuse not only in religious organisations but also at children's homes.

The inquiry was sparked by the recommendations of the landmark Protecting Victoria's Vulnerable Children Inquiry conducted by retired Supreme Court justice Philip Cummins.

Healesville's Ian Lawther, whose son was abused by a convicted St Brigid's parish priest more than

10 years ago, said he was pleased the state government had given recognition to the victims of abuse but would have preferred to see a Royal Commission.

Mr Lawther spoke with the Weekly last month, detailing his family's experiences and his reaction to the findings of the Vulnerable Children report.

"I'm happy it's gone this far," he said last week. "However...a Royal Commission would give a lot more security to victims and let them know the

government is fair dinkum about trying to make amends for the past.

"While there has been a Royal Commission into collapse of the West Gate Bridge and the Black Saturday bushfires there hasn't been one into the number of young people who had committed suicide as a result of the abuse they have endured."

Mr Baillieu said the state government opted for a parliamentary inquiry over a Royal Commission as it would be able to proceed in a less formal way with no expectation that people giving evidence would be required to have legal representation.