Religions 'Punished' Vic Abuse Victims

The 9 News
November 13, 2013

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2013/11/13/17/37/religions-punished-vic-abuse-victims

Pedophile clerics abused children, thinking their crimes would not be revealed, a Victorian parliamentary report says.

Citing a Ballarat school at which four pedophile staff were employed in the 1970s, the report says pedophiles often relied on the protection of their religion.

"Offenders who were members of religious organisations were confident that they could abuse their victims and that their activities would not be revealed," the report, tabled in parliament on Wednesday, says.

"Victims have explained that upon reporting criminal child abuse to other members of the religious organisation, no action was taken or that they were physically punished."

The committee says it is concerned the Christian Brothers cannot explain the "startling" situation in which four staff at St Alipius primary school, including Brother Robert Best and Brother Edward Dowlan, were later convicted of sexual offences.

When giving testimony to the committee earlier this year, deputy province leader Brother Julian McDonald said the scenario was a coincidence.

"I have no explanation for that... it is certainly an accident of history," he said.

"It was a terrible, terrible situation."

The report also notes the high levels of abuse at Salesian College at Rupertswood during the 1970s.

During the inquiry, Salesians provincial Father Greg Chambers said he had been made aware of possible communication between as many as three offenders, but didn't believe there had been any collusion.

The Salesians have paid out more than $2.06 million in compensation to victims of sexual abuse in Victoria.

Br McDonald said some Christian Brothers had betrayed the trust of children in their care.

"I reiterate our sincere apology to all those who have been victimised in our schools and institutions," he told AAP on Wednesday.

"Our failure in their regard means that we must do all in our power to ensure that there is never a repeat of past failures."

Fr Chambers declined to comment on behalf of the Salesians, saying the order would be represented by the statements of the Catholic Church.