Scheme Set to Prevent Cover-up of Institutional Child Abuse in Act

By Christopher Knaus
Canberra Times
June 9, 2016

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/scheme-set-to-prevent-coverup-of-institutional-child-abuse-in-act-20160609-gpf85z.html

Damian De Marco sat in the gallery of ACT parliament on Thursday, watching as new laws were introduced that could have stopped the Catholic brother who abused him so many years ago.

"In all probability, it would have saved lives," Mr De Marco said.

Child abuse campaigner and former Marist student Damian De Marco, at his home in February. Photo: Melissa Adams

It took the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and repeated revelations about cover-ups of child abuse within the Catholic Church and other institutions to get to this point.

But, on Thursday morning, Chief Minister Andrew Barr introduced his reportable conduct scheme to the Legislative Assembly, a law designed to force institutions to report abuse complaints to an independent authority.

"The royal commission has shown that there are still too many dark places within institutions to hide those who would harm children, and there are still those who draw the blinds rather than face the embarrassment or damage that illumination may bring," Mr Barr told the Assembly.

The scheme is modelled on the NSW system, which has been described as the best of its kind in the world.

The ACT Ombudsman will be given new powers of oversight and scrutiny of internal investigations, essentially allowing it to prevent abuse complaints from being swept under the carpet.

It is hoped that will lift the culture of silence and wilful blindness that often allows institutional abuse to continue.

ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr introduced the reportable conduct scheme to the ACT parliament on Thursday. The scheme will help prevent the cover-up of institutional child abuse. Photo: Jeffrey Chan

Mr De Marco was abused by Marist Brother John "Kostka" Chute, who was allowed to continue teaching years after complaints about him were made.

He is now the public face for anti-child abuse campaigners in the ACT, and has repeatedly called for the territory to introduce a reportable conduct scheme.

Mr De Marco said reportable conduct schemes were necessary because organisations such as the Catholic Church were still not addressing the deep cultural problems behind the abuse and cover-ups.

"They run on a culture of secrecy and obedience," Mr De Marco said.

"The hierarchical structure, the architecture of the organisation, is such that it creates a greater risk of children being abused and of that abuse being concealed.

"The government and society don't have the power to change the church organisation, so all we've got the ability to do is ensure that if they don't report, they get in trouble.

"That's why it's so important. They're not going to change."

The bill will be debated in August, and is expected to be passed.

Mr Barr has also urged other states and territories to follow the lead of NSW and the ACT, to ensure a strong and consistent national approach to reportable conduct.