New Hope for Justice in Child Abuse Cases

The Herald Sun
November 13, 2013

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/new-hope-for-justice-in-child-abuse-cases/story-fni0ffsx-1226759317937

There is new hope for victims of child abuse.

AT last, the silent victims of sexual abuse of church clergy and other institutions have been given a unified voice.

The emotional tabling of a parliamentary inquiry into the enduring scandal is a major step forward in preventing and detecting future abuse, identifying risks and, hopefully, in healing.

For decades, lone victims have fought church hierarchy and a fraught legal system for true justice — recognition of the depth of damage caused by paedophile priests let loose on those they were obliged to protect.

“Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these.” Such were the words of Jesus, in Mark 10:14.

It is a shameful hypocrisy the Catholic and some other church organisations not only allowed this biblical tenet to be systemically and horribly breached, but then worked to cover up abuse and deny victims access to justice or, in some cases, even recognition.

A string of MPs, many close to tears or crying, spoke yesterday of their findings contained in the cross-parliamentary committee report, Betrayal of Trust.

Chairwoman Georgie Crozier spoke of “betrayal beyond comprehension” and a “pattern of criminal behaviour” at the heart of abuse in church and non-government organisations. There was a readiness to obfuscate, move offending priests on and hide behind legal restrictions, the statute of limitations or denying vicarious liability.

Deputy chair Frank McGuire and fellow committee members are to be thanked for their work in recommending major legislative reform to address these issues.

It must be said, amid the abuse and cover-ups, the majority of priests work selflessly for their communities, and the good works of the churches should be remembered.

But cultural change has for too long been ignored.

While archbishops Denis Hart and George Pell had claimed any abuse was largely historical, the committee has sought to impose new laws to make churches and priests truly accountable.

Despite church claims systemic problems had been tackled, committee member Andrea Coote said “we found that today’s church leaders view the current question of abuse of children as a short-term embarrassment”.

Months of hearings have uncovered another 135 previously unreported claims of child sex abuse, which have been reported to police.

While the Catholic Church was slammed for its handling of abuse, others including the Anglican Church and Salvation Army were also criticised for their conduct where abuse had been identified.

Sweeping laws recommended by the committee include mandatory reporting of clergy abuse; making child endangerment an offence; expanding grooming offences and civil law reform.

Victoria’s inquiry precedes the national royal commission, which will deliver its own findings and recommendations in 2015.

But the Napthine Government, with bipartisan support, can be expected to institute legislative change as a matter of urgency.

For some victims, the abuse has had life-ending or life-destroying ramifications.

No amount of compensation or apology can undo catastrophic damage. But today was a red letter day for all victims.