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  Legal System 'Shields' Schools, Churches in Sex Cases

ABC [Australia]
Downloaded May 15, 2004

A solicitor representing sexual abuse victims has told a Brisbane legal seminar that schools and churches hide behind the legal system rather than face allegations of sexual abuse.

Brisbane lawyer Roger Singh, who has represented hundreds of victims, says churches and schools often duck and weave to avoid financially compensating victims.

Mr Singh says getting an apology from the hierarchy of a school or church is also a difficult drawn-out process, increasing victims' trauma.

"The opposition dragging out the case, failing to deal with it in my view in a sensible fashion, failing to acknowledge the abuse occurred, putting the victim through all sorts of hoops and hurdles until they might finally, sensibly decide to deal with the claim," Mr Singh said.

 
 

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