Inquiry into Sex Abuse Long Overdue Sav

Daily Advertiser
November 15, 2012

http://www.dailyadvertiser.com.au/story/1123412/inquiry-into-sex-abuse-long-overdue/?cs=150

THIS week’s announcement of a royal commission into child sex abuse is both welcome and long overdue.

Such abuse is one of the most abhorrent crimes our society must deal with, the implications of its prevalence changing lives forever – in some cases, bringing them to a premature end.

There must be no debate about the cost or the time this commission takes – this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to tackle one of the most confronting issues facing our society.

Tuesday’s press conference by Cardinal George Pell shed some light on the church’s likely approach, saying he expected all within to co-operate fully with the inquiry. Not that the church would have much option.

The powers of a royal commission are significant and, by their very nature, are able to delve into and discover evidence that would otherwise remain unknown.

The church does have a dark history when it comes to covering up child abuse and its preparedness to relocate perpetrators to other areas of ministry.

These actions undoubtedly have caused widespread community cynicism about the organisation’s commitment to this process.

Cardinal Pell was at pains to point out the commission wasn’t just aimed at the churches, but encompassed all areas of our society.

Government facilities, the legal fraternity, social and community groups such as the scouting movement and a range of other organisations where child sexual abuse is prevalent will all come under the spotlight – and rightly so.

The information uncovered by the royal commission is likely to be confronting and disturbing – but necessary.

The only way our society can move forward and deal with this very ugly issue is to acknowledge it and deal with the perpetrators.