Child Sexual Abuse Inquiry: Neerkol Orphanage nuns ‘nervous’ about meeting victims

By Michael Madigan
Herald Sun
April 22, 2015

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/child-sexual-abuse-inquiry-neerkol-orphanage-nuns-nervous-about-meeting-victims/story-fnii5v70-1227315180680

NUNS accused of abusing children at a notorious Queensland orphanage refused to meet the victims as adults because they feared not remembering what happened, a national inquiry has heard.

Up to five of the Sister of Mercy nuns alleged to have abused children at Neerkol Orphanage were still alive in the 1990s, but many were “anxious and nervous” about meeting victims.

As the Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse in Rockhampton nears the end of a two-week hearing, a former nun has recalled the reactions of the Sisters of Mercy alleged to have abused and humiliated children at St Joseph’s Orphanage at Neerkol, west of the city.

Di-Anne Rowan, a former teacher and religious education co-ordinator who left the order in 2003, told the hearing she believed between three and five of the nuns facing allegations of abuse were still alive when the accusations came into the public arena in the early 90s.

One nun agreed to meet with a former victim where they discussed the issues of abuse, but others were reluctant to do so, Ms Rowan told the inquiry.

The nuns’ reluctance stemmed partly from their anxiety they would not remember the incidents, or even the individuals alleging the abuse.

“Many of them were anxious and very nervous,” Ms Rowan said.

“Their big concern was because the incidents had happened so many years ago they might not remember.”

Ms Rowan said the nuns were anxious that their memory lapses would cause victims even more distress.

“They were happy to apologise but sometimes if you don”t remember the circumstances it doesn’t mean as much.”

The hearing has been told a portion of the nuns who served at Neerkol from the period after World War II until the orphanage was closed in 1979 had come from Ireland.

Ms Rowan estimated those alleged to have abused children were in an age group between “their 60s and their 80s.”

In 1997 the Sisters of Mercy issued a formal apology to former Neerkol residents who suffered physical and sexual abuse.

The congregation also established a committee to organise emotional and financial support for abuse victims.

The commission is into its seventh day of a public hearing in Rockhampton.