Abuse Victims "Not Ready"

By Sophie Gosper
The Australian
July 13, 2012

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/abuse-victims-not-ready/story-e6frg6nf-1226424917154

SUPPORT groups for sexually abused children say the Victorian parliament's terms of reference to investigate widespread cases of sex abuse within the clergy and beyond is a step in the right direction, but that the August 31 cut-off for submissions does not allow enough time to make their case.

The spokeswoman for the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, Nicky Davis, said the committee was asking victims to reveal incredibly traumatising and distressing personal information, which some may struggle to even submit in writing, so to offer such a small window was unrealistic.

"The time is vastly inadequate," she said. "Even if they were just covering the Catholic Church it wouldn't be enough time, let alone all other non-government organisations and any other organisation that might come up. It is actually a far bigger task than they may think.

"I am also concerned whether or not the magnitude of church (public relations) material that will be dumped on the committee during this time period will drown out the voice of the victims."

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Yesterday the committee requested victims of child abuse in religious and other non-government organisations submit their grievances and experiences in relation to the effects of abuse, how its reporting was handled by the organisation, the consequences for the offender, and other topics.

Ms Davis said an overlooked area within the submission guide was mistreatment within the justice system. "One thing that is not covered in those points is the role of the court and the criminal law in denying justice to the victims. The current criminal law is extraordinarily predator-friendly and victims can be, and frequently are, brutalised, traumatised, denied a voice and denied justice," she said.

Broken Rites spokeswoman Chris MacIsaac said his support group was encouraging victims to tell the committee how they had been affected by church cover-ups.