Victorian Parliamentary Committee Has Listened to Victims of Child Sexual Assault

The SNAP Australia
November 13, 2013

http://www.snapaustralia.org/StatementNickyDavis_SNAPAuatralia_2013Nov13.html

Statement by Nicky Davis of SNAP Auatralia

Victims of child sexual assault across the country have reason to celebrate today.

Not only is it one year since the historic announcement of the national Royal Commission into this issue, but the Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry hands down its report today, and we can finally see a glimmer of hope for justice, better child protection, and an end to our suffering.

The report itself will be available online shortly, but even from the details already available in the media release, and from the speeches to the Victorian Parliament, it is clear we have been listened to and we have been heard.

Equally importantly, the campaign of excuses, misinformation, minimisation and distraction by religious officials has not convinced anyone. For far too long victims have had a second, and at least equally painful, cause of suffering from not only the deliberate neglect of our rights and need for healing by these organisations, but also from the reassuring lies told to present an appearance that nothing is wrong and there is no need for outside action.

We call on all political parties in Victoria to express support for the law reforms proposed by the Committee, which are an absolute minimum requirement if justice is to be done and children are to be protected.

We also call on all other states to seriously consider implementing similar reforms, as this is an Australia wide, and indeed worldwide systemic problem which does not stop at the Victorian border.