Clergy Abuse Victims Too Scared to Speak to Inquiry

ABC News
August 10, 2012

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-08-09/clergy-abuse-victims-to-scared-to-speak-to-inquiry/4188050?section=vic

A former Victorian sex crimes squad detective says many clergy abuse victims are too scared to make submissions to a parliamentary inquiry.

Glen Davies is heading a forum in Ballarat next week to help people better understand the submission process.

A state wide inquiry was launched earlier this year after it was revealed more than 40 Victorians have committed suicide after being abused by clergy.

Mr Davies says many victims are worried about how their stories will be used.

"They're absolutely terrified," he said.

"A lot of them have been abused by a bureaucratic system before and got nowhere with their complaints and having to face another one is very terrifying for them.

"The information that's been provided by the Government has been at times confusing for people."

Topics: community-and-society, child-abuse, religion-and-beliefs, catholic, ballarat-3350