Call for Canberra Child Sexual Abuse Hearings

By Peter Jean
Canberra Times
June 11, 2013

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/call-for-canberra-child-sexual-abuse-hearings-20130610-2o0cp.html

Francis Sullivan, chief executive of the Catholic Church's Truth, Justice and Healing Council. Canberra victims are being urged to tell their stories.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is being urged to hold hearings in Canberra to encourage local victims to tell their stories.

ACT Liberal Senator Gary Humphries said many child abuse victims had shown the courage to speak up publicly and in the courts in recent years and they deserved to be heard.

"I know there's been at least 150 cases that have been raised in the ACT - it could be closer to 200 cases,'' Senator Humphries said.

"And in those circumstances I think there's ample basis for the commission to come to Canberra.''

A spokesman for the royal commission said it was likely that witnesses would be able to give evidence at "private sessions'' in Canberra during the coming months. But there were no immediate plans for a formal public hearing to be held in the ACT.

Senator Humphries said there were many barriers to victims providing evidence.

The former ACT chief minister and attorney-general said Canberra-based victims of past child abuse may be more likely to give evidence if they could do so close to home.

"For some people who have been damaged by their experience of abuse, even simple things like travelling 300 kilometres can actually be a challenge,'' Senator Humphries said.

Jason Parkinson, of Porters Lawyers, backed the call for a hearing in Canberra.

Mr Parkinson has represented men in civil cases against Canberra's Daramalan and Marist Catholic colleges. "In such a small geographical area … We had an explosion of child abuse cases at two supposedly very good middle class respectable schools,'' Mr Parkinson said.

"We ended up with some 70 cases at Daramalan and I think it was 70 or 80 at Marist Brothers Canberra and people are still coming forward.''

Many of the Marist cases have related to convicted paedophile John Chute, also known as Brother Kostka, and to teacher Paul Lyons who committed suicide in 2000. Lyons also worked at Daramalan.

Mr Parkinson said holding hearings in Canberra may encourage more victims to come forward and seek help.

"I am sure that there would be many men who were at both those institutions who still haven't come forward - I know that for a fact,'' he said. "It would help them to come forward and also they've got to realise [if] it can happen in affluent Canberra, then it must be happening a hell of a lot everywhere.

Francis Sullivan, chief executive of the Catholic Church's Truth Justice and Healing Council, said he would welcome any opportunity the royal commission could give to abuse victims to tell their stories.

"Many people are still unaware that the royal commission has begun and is already holding private sessions,'' Mr Sullivan said.

Senator Humphries said people should contact the royal commission directly about matters they believed should be considered.

The royal commission can be contacted on 1800 099 340.

The commission is being chaired by Justice Peter McClellan.