Revealing the Evil of Child Abuse

Herald Sun
April 4, 2013

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/opinion/revealing-the-evil-of-child-abuse/story-e6frfhqo-1226611960238

HARROWING evidence of the abuse they suffered is being heard from witnesses at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

It is a time for soul-searching, but it is also a chance to expose the cover-ups that have kept these abuses secret for so long.

The Catholic Church is not the only one guilty of protecting the predators. Other churches and state institutions are also culpable.

The preliminary report of the commission is expected in 18 months. This is ambitious when it is remembered a similar inquiry in Ireland took nine years to present its damning findings.

The Australian royal commission was established after Victorian and New South Wales inquiries started hearing evidence, not only from victims of abuse but police, who for years found their investigations frustrated by the churches and institutions where such crimes took place.

The commission presents the best opportunity to right these many wrongs and to ensure safeguards are put in place to prevent further abuse.