Church Sex Abuse Survivors Begin a Journey to Justice

By Daniel Tran
Monash Weekly
November 19, 2012

www.monashweekly.com.au/story/1126444/church-sex-abuse-survivors-begin-a-journey-to-justice/?cs=12

Sigh of relief: Anthony and Chrissie Foster, whose daughters were abused by a Catholic priest, have welcomed the establishment of a royal commission. Photo by Craig Sillitoe

THE Gillard government's decision to launch a royal commission into child sex abuse in Australia has left survivors and their families elated.

Oakleigh's Chrissie and Anthony Foster, whose daughters Katie and Emma were abused by a Catholic priest, last week welcomed the news.

The couple, who are ambassadors for Adults Surviving Child Abuse, have long campaigned for a royal commission into abuse.

Mrs Foster said the establishment of the commission was wonderful news. "All of us have been heard and believed," she said. "This is justice ... It's wonderful."

Last Monday, Prime Minister Julia Gillard said a royal commission was the best way to listen to victims.

"The individuals concerned deserve the most thorough of investigations into the wrongs that have been committed against them," Ms Gillard said. "We must do everything we can to make sure that what has happened in the past is never allowed to happen again."

Mrs Foster tells the story of her daughters' abuse in a book titled Hell On The Way To Heaven.

Welcoming the decision for a royal commission, Oakleigh MP Anne Barker said she met Mrs Foster at the book launch. "I took the book home, read it, and it became clear what needed to be done," Ms Barker said.

"Many people are saying a royal commission will bring healing to victims and survivors. But what a royal commission will bring is justice. Chrissie and Anthony Foster will finally be able to appear before the royal commission, which is what they've been calling for."

The commission will investigate child sexual abuse across a range of bodies, and not be limited to the Catholic Church — something which disappoints Mrs Foster.

"We've heard from the Victorian Inquiry that [abuse in the Catholic Church] is six times more than all the others combined."

But Mrs Foster said a commission would mean a safer future for children: "It should be something that's naturally there anyway."