New Investigation Called for into Wollongong Priest Abuse Allegations

By Nick McLaren
ABC News
October 22, 2015

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-10-22/uow-defends-priest/6877020

An organisation supporting victims of child sex abuse has called for a full investigation into an alleged incident involving abuse of a primary schoolboy by a Wollongong priest in the 1980's.

The claims against the priest, who is now an academic at the University of Wollongong, were aired as part of a court case into another Wollongong Catholic priest and former teacher, Father Patrick Kervin.

The allegation was aired in Albion Park local court on October 16, 2015.

The case was previously investigated by the Wollongong Archdiocese of the Catholic Church.

It was also referred to the NSW Police Commissioner Andrew Scipione and the Sex Crimes Squad with no charges laid.

But Nicky Davis from the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, says a more thorough investigation is needed.

"The police have not proceeded to a full investigation of this matter," she said.

Ms Davis has also disputed the church's claim their investigation was independent.

"The church's internal investigations are being conducted by people who are being paid by the church," she said.

The University of Wollongong has released a statement expressing deep concerns about the reports.

The university says the allegations against its employee related to a time prior to his employment at the university, they were previously investigated and no adverse findings made against him.

The Catholic Diocese of Wollongong declined to comment to the ABC.