Latest News

POSTED 16-02-2018

Call to give criminals redress for abuse

Excluding people convicted of serious crimes from access to redress for child sexual abuse amounts to "double punishment", a Senate inquiry has heard.

SBS news report 16 February 2018

POSTED 13-02-2018

Survivors respond to Ballarat Diocese meeting abuse compensation

Clergy abuse survivors are pushing for a more comprehensive redress model as the Catholic Diocese of Ballarat reveals it is confident in being in a financial position to meet all compensation claims.

The Courier report, 13 February 2018

POSTED 12-02-2018

Paul de Jersey accused of conflict of interest over role in sex abuse law review

Queensland Governor and former chief justice Paul de Jersey has come under fire for perceived conflict of interest over his role in a legal review 20 years ago that recommended maintaining legal limitations for child sex abuse claims.

ABC report 12 February 2018

POSTED 12-02-2018

The archbishop, the mansion and the beach house

At the same time the Catholic Church was fighting a family who refused to accept $55,000 compensation for each of their abused daughters, it purchased a Kew mansion for Archbishop Denis Hart now valued at $2.25 million.

theage report, 12 February 2018

POSTED 06-02-2018

Statement on past mental health practices – The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists

"The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists commends the Queensland Government's acknowledgment of the past harmful mental health treatment of children in state care, and supports its commitment to meaningfully reconciling with all those affected."

View website

POSTED 02-01-2018

Australian church, take abuse commission report seriously or risk irrelevance

"In Australia, the bishops have no place to hide. This Royal Commission has exposed the dysfunction and obfuscation that typified the hierarchy's approach to the scandal. It has revealed the parlous state of moral leadership from those purporting to be leaders of character and virtue. It has unravelled a history of hypocrisy, shame and corruption," Francis Sullivan, CEO Australia's Truth, Justice and Healing Council.

Article by Francis Sullivan, 19 December 2017

POSTED 14-12-2017

Final Sitting Opening Address by the Chair of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse

"The Commissioners thank each of the survivors who told us their story. ... Each survivor’s story is important to us. Their stories have helped us to identify what should be done to make institutions safer for children in the future. It has been a privilege for the Commissioners to sit with and listen to survivors. The survivors are remarkable people with a common concern to do what they can to ensure that other children are not abused. They deserve our nation’s thanks," The Hon. Justice Peter McClellan AM.

Final Sitting Address, 14 December 2017

Read more

POSTED 04-12-2017

Australian Royal Commission itemises a 'National Tragedy'

"Sexual abuse of children has occurred in almost every type of institution in Australia where children lived or attended."

Article by Mark Brolly, The Tablet, 21 November 2017

Read more

POSTED 29-10-2017

Rhonda gets justice for state's "worst case of child abuse"

Rhonda Trivett was sitting on her bed watching a movie on October 17 when she received a phone call she'd been waiting for since 1981.

"It was (Queensland Health Minister) Cameron Dick and (Child Safety Minister) Shannon Fentiman," Rhonda said.

South Burnett Times report, 29 October 2017

POSTED 27-10-2017

Child sex abuse redress scheme to cap payments at $150,000 and exclude some criminals

The Federal Government has tabled a bill that would entitle victims of child sexual abuse in Commonwealth and Territory institutions up to $150,000 in compensation, but it excludes victims who have served time in jail.

ABC report, 26 October 2017

POSTED 22-08-2017

Historic child sex abuse accused released on bail in Rocky

Kevin Leslie Baker made his first appearance in Rockhampton Magistrates Court this morning in relation to dozens of alleged child sex abuse charges.

The Morning Bulletin report 18 August 2017

POSTED 22-08-2017

Catholic brother guilty of 'very grave' Queensland teen sexual abuse

A Catholic brother who sexually abused nine "vulnerable and marginalised" boys at a Queensland orphanage has been sentenced to eight years behind bars for his historic crimes.

A Brisbane Times report, 21 August 2017

POSTED 11-07-2017

British inquiry into child sexual abuse in Australia

A British inquiry into child sexual abuse has begun hearing evidence on whether the government did enough to protect children being sent to Australia

7news podcast, 11 July 2017

POSTED 29-06-2017

George Pell charged with multiple child sex charges

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Shane Patton told a media conference in Melbourne this morning Cardinal Pell had been charged “with historical sexual assault offences” with “multiple complainants”.

He has been charged on summons to appear for a filing hearing at the Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18.

News.com.au report, 29 June 2017

POSTED 29-06-2017

Cardinal George Pell charged with at least three serious child sex offences

Cardinal George Pell, Australia's highest ranking Catholic, will face at least three serious child sex assault charges, including at least one count of rape.

Victoria Police has confirmed Cardinal Pell has been charged on summons over multiple allegations against multiple victims and is due to face Melbourne Magistrates Court on July 18 for a filing hearing.

Sydney Morning Herald report, 29 June 2017

POSTED 17-05-2017

Meet the taxi driver going back to his childhood for the chance to perform with the Royal Ballet

Paul Morewood is one of a group of Brisbaneamateur dancers taking part in We All Dance, a workshop series facilitated by the Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC) to coincide with The Royal Ballet's visit to Australia.

ABC report, 17 May 2017

POSTED 10-05-2017

Commonwealth Redress Scheme for Survivors of Institutional Child Sexual Abuse

The Turnbull Government’s redress scheme for survivors of child sexual abuse in institutional settings is planned to commence in 2018.

media release-christianporter.dss.gov.au, 09 May 2017

POSTED 11-04-2017

Catalyst for Renewal Incorporated – Where to from here?

An unreserved ‘call to action’ from Francis Sullivan, CEO of the Truth Justice and Healing Council. He calls on members of the Catholic Church to no longer be bystanders and to hold the church hierarchy to account for their “avoidance of the truth and a failed attempt to divert the public from the scale of the abuse and the depths to which Church officials had sunk as they tried to keep it hidden”.

Full speech delivered on 10 March 2017

Truth Justice and Healing Council

POSTED 05-04-2017

Anti-DV advocate appointed Qld mediator

A well-known domestic violence prevention campaigner will lead the reconciliation process between the Queensland government and women inappropriately placed in a state asylum as children.

Article by Alexandra Patrikios, Australian Associated Press 4 April 2017
Queensland Government media statement 4 April 2017

Read more

POSTED 29-03-2017

Royal commission into sexual abuse: Issue of redress must be a priority, commissioner says.

Victims have waited too long for a response to their suffering and protection of children should be a top priority in Australia, says the chair of the royal commission into child sexual abuse.

ABC News, 27 March 2017

- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 -
Back to top