Inquiry recommends new child sex abuse crime

AUSTRALIA
SBS

By Darren Mara
Source World News Australia Radio

(Transcript from World News Australia Radio)

Victims groups say they’re satisfied with the outcome of a Victorian parliamentary child sex abuse inquiry.

The inquiry handed down its findings in an 800-page report which recommends making it a crime in Victoria to conceal sexual abuse by organisations.

Darren Mara has this report.

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The inquiry committee’s report recommends that people in positions of authority should be criminally responsible for placing children at risk of harm by other individuals.

Tabled in the Victorian parliament, the report comes after months of committee hearings, during which victims and Victoria Police alleged the Catholic Church had concealed child sexual abuse by clergy members.

The report states that it’s only in recent months that senior members of the Catholic Church have accepted responsibility for the church’s failure to pay due regard to the safety of children.

It’s also recommended that an independent statutory body be established to monitor and oversee the handling of sexual abuse allegations.

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