Abuse victims demand answers from Catholic Church over draft police agreement

AUSTRALIA
ABC News

[with video]

Posted Fri 4 Oct 2013

Sexual abuse victims have reacted with shock over revelations the church tried to strike an agreement with NSW police to withhold critical information about paedophile priests.

Transcript

EMMA ALBERICI: Abuse victims are demanding answers from the Catholic Church after explosive revelations were aired on this program last night.

They’ve been shocked to learn of allegations that the Church had tried to strike an agreement with police that would withhold critical information about paedophiles within its ranks.

The police deny the draft agreement was put into practice but a Freedom Of Information request shows the issue goes much further than the Catholic Church.

Jason Om reports.

JASON OM, REPORTER: The latest revelations about the way the Church has handled abuse cases has angered the people whose lives have been damaged.

JOHN ELLIS, ABUSE VICTIM: It’s always a sad day when something that you know in your heart but don’t want to believe is suddenly, comes to light as being true.

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