Catholic Church Hits Back at Claims 'Hundreds' Angry about Complaints System

ABC News
August 7, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-08-07/catholic-church-hits-back-at-claims-27hundreds27-angry-about-/4869804

The church says only 61 victims have complained not "hundreds."

The Catholic Church in Victoria has hit back at claims that "hundreds" of victims of child sexual abuse are critical of the church's complaints systems.

Earlier this year the chairwoman of a Victorian parliamentary inquiry, Georgie Crozier, said her committee had heard from more than 140 victims who are highly dissatisfied.

But in a right of reply published on the committee's website, the church says from its analysis of submissions and hearings in the public domain, only 61 victims have complained.

The parliamentary committee is yet to release details of how many private submissions and hearings were from victims critical of the church.

The right of reply also refutes evidence presented by police and several victims' advocates.