AUSTRALIA
10 Daily
March 13, 2019
By Andrew Collins
Hopeful survivor of childhood sexual abuse, and advocate for other victims who can’t speak up
I sat in my psychologist’s office watching Pell’s sentencing with him.
I wanted to do it in a safe environment, then have the opportunity to process it and talk about it. I knew that it would have an effect on me, and it did. It reminded me of sitting in court when one of my offenders was sentenced. My stomach was knotted, and I was full of apprehension.
I kept reminding myself that this is just a part of a legal process, and that it isn’t necessarily about justice. The judge has to weigh up a lot of different factors, and needs to explain how he came to the decision that he made. When he spoke of Pell’s character, I understand that he is bound to take this into account, and that it isn’t unusual.
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