Protect Our Children, Victim Urges Sex Abuse Inquiry

By Fiona Henderson
The Courier
February 28, 2013

http://www.thecourier.com.au/story/1332270/protect-our-children-victim-urges-sex-abuse-inquiry/?cs=62

A VICTIM of clergy sex abuse has called on members of a parliamentary inquiry to recommend the establishment of an independent watchdog to protect future generations.

Peter Blenkiron was one of five victims who gave evidence in Ballarat this morning to the Victorian Parliamentary into child sexual abuse by members of religious organisations.

In his submission, Mr Blenkiron also pleaded with the inquiry members to put measures in place that would stop further victim deaths.

In an emotion charged morning, several victims broke down while detailing their horrendous abuse, prompting inquiry chairwoman Georgie Crozier to praise their "extraordinary courage" in speaking out.

In addition to individual submissions, a group submission called for the establishment of a compensation fund paid for by the church but managed by the state government.

It also urged an interim fund to help victims with counselling and other expenses related to the abuse, along with all deeds of release already signed by the church to be retracted to enable it to be sued.

In other submissions heard this morning, a Portland Catholic school teacher who intervened in an incident involving a priest and a young child in 2010 told how his career has been destroyed.

Ballarat laywer Diane Hadden also called for all religious groups to be mandated to report child abuse

The hearing will continue this afternoon.