Chief Commissioner Stands by Abuse Inquiry Submission Following of Criticism from Archbishop

ABC News
June 26, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-06-26/chief-commissioner-stands-by-abuse-inquiry-submission/4782426

[with video]

Victoria Police Chief Commissioner, Ken Lay, says he stands by the force's submission the state's child sex abuse inquiry.

Victoria Police claimed the Catholic Church had protected child sex offenders and interfered in police investigations.

In a new submission to the inquiry, the state's most senior Catholic, Archbishop Denis Hart has refuted those allegations.

He says a Victoria Police allegation that the church has not engaged with investigators is misinformed, misleading and factually inaccurate.

Archbishop Hart also denied claims the church's Melbourne Response has dissuaded victims of sexual crime from reporting to police.

Mr Lay says a lot of detailed work went into the police submission to the inquiry.

"We're comfortable with that submission and what I do say is we're looking forward to the parliamentary inquiry making their report in September to help us move forward and address what is a very, very difficult issue for the community," he said.