Survivors Had Choice of Cops or Cash: Inquiry

By Ian Kirkwood
Newcastle Herald
August 1, 2013

http://www.theherald.com.au/story/1674196/survivors-had-choice-of-cops-or-cash-inquiry/?cs=305

SURVIVORS of child sexual abuse by priests were only offered "healing" - including a financial settlement - if they signed a statement saying they were not going to the police, the Special Commission of Inquiry has heard.

Helen Keevers, a founding manager until 2009 of sex abuse survivors' centre Zimmerman House, said this was her understanding of the Church's practices when she began helping Bishop Michael Malone after the Jim Fletcher case in 2003.

Ms Keevers said there was little chance for her to look at historical files of child sexual abuse because her unit was "inundated" with complaints about existing priests.

She said complaints were laid against seven priests of the Maitland-Newcastle Diocese, with four individuals subsequently convicted.