Abuse Victims Face Litany of Problems, Inquiry Told

ABC News
December 17, 2012

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-12-17/abuse-victims-face-litany-of-problems2c-inquiry-told/4431720?section=vic

[with video]

A Victorian parliamentary inquiry has been told victims of child sexual abuse face a litany of difficulties reporting and settling their complaints.

The Care Leavers Australia Network told the child sexual inquiry that churches and institutions have confusing processes for dealing with complaints.

It says victims are deliberately isolated and that redress schemes are a "hopscotch" of secretive arrangements.

Spokesman Frank Golding told the inquiry it is also difficult for victims to access documentation.

"People who are raped or sexually assaulted are required to go back to the place where they were violated to seek their personal records," he said.

The network has made ten recommendations, including a uniform state-wide compensation scheme.

The group's executive officer Leonie Sheedy told the inquiry there also needs to be a 24-hour limit for the mandatory criminal reporting of abuse.

"The churches and non-government organisations should have no role in handling allegations of crimes against children," she said.