AUSTRALIA
7 News
AAP
[with video]
Victoria’s landmark inquiry into child sex abuse by clergy is expected to demand priests and religious leaders be forced into reporting abuse allegations against their colleagues or face jail themselves.
A final report from the state’s parliamentary inquiry into institutional responses to child abuse is due to be released within days.
The inquiry’s report will recommend the state government create a criminal offence “for ministers of religion who fail to report physical or sexual abuse of children by other clergy”, News Corp Australia says.
Clergy who don’t pass on abuse allegations they have heard within their organisations “should face jail”, the report recommends, according to News Corp on Saturday.
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