Police Slam Church Actions on Child Abuse

The 9 News
October 10, 2012

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=8546039

Deliberate actions by religious institutions to hide child sex abuse allegations rather than expose suspected offenders should be regarded as a crime, Victoria Police says.

In its submission to the Victorian government's inquiry into the handling of child abuse by religious and other organisations, Victoria Police says it is concerned the Catholic Church, instead of encouraging sex abuse victims to go to the police, is providing a financial incentive to keep the matter within the church.

In the past 15 years more than 30 religious leaders have been convicted of child sexual offences in Victoria.

Police have had recurring problems in dealing with religious organisations, such as victims of sexual crime being talked out of reporting to police and suspected offenders being moved to a different diocese or sent overseas.

The submission said the Catholic church's "Melbourne Response" - set up to assist victims - appeared to be a substitute for criminal justice.

"It has not referred a single complaint to Victorian police," the submission said.

It said the assessors were not trained or resourced to conduct criminal investigations, there was no transparency or external right of review, and they may provide inappropriate or wrong advice to victims, who are not legally represented during the process.

Victims are told that to obtain an ex gratia payment they must agree to discharge the church from further liability and not to discuss or disclose the facts and circumstances around their complaints at the risk of being sued by the church.

The submission said there was an underlying culture within the Catholic church, and other religions, to hide accusations or abuse rather than expose suspected offenders.

"It is in the opinion of Victoria police that such deliberate action should be criminalised," the submission said.