AUSTRALIA
ABC News
By Nicole Chettle
Child abusers used the Anglican Church as a “safe haven” because their activities would not be monitored and they would be offered “cheap forgiveness”, a royal commission has heard.
The Anglican Archbishop of Sydney, Glenn Davies, has told the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse that laypeople were the main perpetrators of abuse.
He said that in the past, offenders were given access to youth groups and other church-run organisations too easily.
“Perpetrators or potential perpetrators seek a safe haven where their activities will not be monitored,” Dr Davies said.
“Inadequate screening of our laypeople in past years allowed people with corrupt motives to abuse young boys, in particular, but also girls.”
He said complaints were made against 17 clergy since the 1960s, and were sustained in four cases.
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