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Child sexual abuse in Newcastle Anglican diocese in 1970s to be investigated by new police strike force
By Lucy Carter
New South Wales Police have begun a new major investigation into allegations of child sexual abuse within Newcastle's Anglican Diocese in the 1970s. Strike force Arinya-2 has been established to investigate alleged child sexual assaults in the Newcastle region, dating back 40 years. The Anglican Church in Newcastle has been investigated before, most recently in 2012 when the then Newcastle Anglican Bishop, Brian Farran, defrocked three priests over what he described as "disturbing" allegations of abuse that allegedly occurred in the 1970s and 1980s. At the time, the Professional Standards Board of the Anglican Church of Newcastle accepted that the former dean of Newcastle, Graeme Lawrence, and the reverends Bruce Hoare and Andrew Duncan engaged in sexual misconduct against a male teenager. Mr Lawrence challenged the professional standards board investigation in the NSW Supreme Court but was unsuccessful. The current Bishop of Newcastle, Greg Thompson, said he would support the police in their investigation. "I continue to be saddened by the reality of abuse experienced by people and I am committed to ensuring justice and support for each of them," Bishop Thompson said. He encouraged of victims of abuse to contact the police. He said they could also contact the diocesan director of professional standards, who could arrange counselling or other support, on 1800 774 945. Bishop Thompson said the diocese would refrain from making further comments while the investigation was underway. Police are now urging anyone who has been a victim or has knowledge of child sexual assault by a member of the diocese during the 1970s to contact the Newcastle police station or Crime Stoppers.
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