Royal Commission Into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Hands Down Damning Interim Report
The Royal Commission has handed down an interim report into their investigation into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse. Catholic orders such as the Christian Brothers, the Marist Brothers and St John of God have been noted with a high proportion of alleged abusers after the Commission heard over 4500 claims of child sexual abuse from over the past 35 years. They also noted that it is often the case that victims wait an average of 33 years before they can find the strength and courage to come forward and be heard as to the crimes committed against them.
The summary is in the 75 Catholic authorities examined over 60 years from 1950 to 2010, 7% of all priests were alleged perpetrators.
Having ourselves dealt with dozens and dozens of these claims, we know that many more voices have yet to be heard, and many more institutions will be made to be answerable for the deeds of the past. So many remain deserving of their opportunity to find vindication, belief and compensation for the pain and anguish they have been through.
It does give us hope however, that the Commission continues to probe the depths of these unspeakable abuses against children, and many more voices will be heard and supported in the months to come.