Orphans scared to report abuse at Neerkol Orphanage: inquiry

Brisbane Times
April 14, 2015

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/orphans-scared-to-report-abuse-at-neerkol-orphanage-inquiry-20150414-1mkoo3.html

David Owen holds a photo of himself when he was at Neerkol Orphanage. Photo by Peter Stoop

Children housed in a notorious central Queensland orphanage were subjected to repeated physical and sexual abuse and allegedly punished if they spoke out, a national inquiry has heard.

Thirteen former residents of the Neerkol Orphanage near Rockhampton are set to describe their traumatic experiences at a public hearing of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.

Counsel assisting the commission Sophie David SC said the allegations centre on three priests, now dead, and a former worker at the orphanage who was never convicted of any offence.

Ms David told the hearing in Rockhampton that the former residents, many who can't be identified by name, will speak of how they were beaten by nuns and repeatedly sexually abused by priests connected to the orphanage.

She said many former residents will say they were too frightened to report the abuse, while others reported being physically punished for speaking out.

"All the witnesses who were former residents of the orphanage will describe the devastating impact their experiences at the orphanage have had on their family life, employment prospects and mental health," Ms David said in her opening statement on Tuesday.

The commission will also examine the responses of the Sisters of Mercy, the Catholic Diocese of Rockhampton and the Queensland government to complaints of child sexual abuse that began surfacing in the 1990s.

It is expected to run for about two weeks.