AUSTRALIA
Newcastle Herald
By IAN KIRKWOOD July 23, 2013
A VICTIM of paedophile priest Jim Fletcher has given an emotional statement to the special commission of inquiry in Newcastle about the impact that the abuse has had on his life.
The abuse of the victim, known in proceedings as AH, has been a centrepiece of this inquiry and his appearance in the witness box had been long anticipated.
The commission room broke into applause at the end of his statement.
Commissioner Cunneen reminded AH that that ‘‘no shame’’ was attached to him and that his courage had ‘‘placed the same where it belongs’’.
AH began by telling the commission of the difficulty he had in telling people about the abuse.
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