Law Change Must Follow Vic Clergy Report

The 9 News
November 5, 2013

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/11/05/11/13/law-change-must-follow-vic-clergy-report

Advocates of victims of clergy abuse want laws changed to enable religious organisations like the Catholic Church to be sued and those who covered up crimes to be charged.

Churches have long been able to use technical defences to avoid being sued and advocates hope the Victorian parliamentary inquiry helps stop the practice.

Judy Courtin, who is conducting research into sexual assault and the Catholic Church, says there needs to be reforms within the Crimes Act to address the crime of concealment and cover up.

"If we are going to address one of the main elements of justice for victims, which is accountability of the hierarchy, that has to be addressed by making it easier to prosecute bishops and archbishops and other senior clergy," she told AAP.

Ms Courtin says civil laws also need to be reformed.

She says it often takes decades before clergy sexual abuse is reported and the statute of limitations must be amended so victims can receive compensation.

Ms Courtin says a person should be able to sue no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.

"(Victims) need to have equal access to the courts," Ms Courtin said.

"If they want to sue, they need to be able to sue."

Victims' lawyer Vivian Waller hopes recommendations will be made that will make the Catholic Church more accountable.

"Certainly there is great hope held that there will be significant law reforms that will bring an end to the church being able to avoid their responsibility," she said.

"I would certainly hope that there would be recommendations for law reform to just make it a level playing field between victims and church authorities, particularly the Catholic Church, which has been quite robust in its defence of these claims."