Victims of notorious priest abuser Gerald Ridsdale seek compensation

By Shannon Deery
Herald Sun
April 1, 2015

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/law-order/victims-of-notorious-priest-abuser-gerald-ridsdale-seek-compensation/story-fni0ffnk-1227288121190

Gerald Ridsdale.

NOTORIOUS paedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale is being chased for thousands of dollars in compensation by 12 of his victims.

The frail 81-year-old appeared at the County Court via videolink from jail today for a brief hearing where a lawyer for the victims sought extra time to prepare their case.

Ridsdale, who has spent decades behind bars, has admitted abusing at least 54 students during the 1960s, 70s and 80s.

He is currently expected to remain in prison until at least 2019.

Ridsdale portrayed himself as the “friendly priest”, luring his victims with inducements such as lollies and money to gain their trust.

He befriended the victims and set up an after-school boys gathering that he used to abuse kids, Victims were warned against telling anybody about the abuse.

One girl was abused in a church confessional box, Ridsdale telling her she was wicked and needed to be punished.

She was forced to say “forgive me father for I have sinned” before he abused her.

Afterwards she was given a bag of lollies and told not to tell anyone.

The Catholic Church has come under fire for protecting Ridsdale and wilfully ignored victims.

Critics and victims say because of the Church's ignorance, Ridsdale was allowed to become one of the country's worst child sex offenders.

Ridsdale was first jailed in 1994 for abuse against 21 victims.

Despite his terrifying string of attacks over three decades Ridsdale was moved from parish to parish as complaints about his abuse were made across the state.

He was posted to Victorian towns, including Inglewood, Edenhope, Mortlake, Ballarat and Warrnambool.