AUSTRALIA
9 News
Advocates of victims of clergy abuse want laws changed to enable religious organisations like the Catholic Church to be sued and those who covered up crimes to be charged.
Churches have long been able to use technical defences to avoid being sued and advocates hope the Victorian parliamentary inquiry helps stop the practice.
Judy Courtin, who is conducting research into sexual assault and the Catholic Church, says there needs to be reforms within the Crimes Act to address the crime of concealment and cover up.
“If we are going to address one of the main elements of justice for victims, which is accountability of the hierarchy, that has to be addressed by making it easier to prosecute bishops and archbishops and other senior clergy,” she told AAP.
Ms Courtin says civil laws also need to be reformed.
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