Anglican Diocese of Grafton Quits over "Failings" in Child Abuse Complaints

Right Reverend Keith Slater
May 17, 2013

http://media2.apnonline.com.au/img/media/pdf/Media_Statement_Bishop_Keith_Slater_Anglican_Diocese_of_Grafton_170513.pdf

Following is a public statement by the Right Reverend Keith Slater regarding the management of claims of abuse by the Diocese of Grafton at the North Coast Children’s Home in Lismore NSW.

Since 2006 the Diocese of Grafton has received a number of claims alleging acts of physical, psychological and sexual abuse at the North Coast Children’s Home in Lismore NSW. The abuse

took place over a number of decades (1940’s to 1980’s). The alleged perpetrators included staff at the Home, visiting clergy, members of holiday host families and other residents.

When the claims were initially received it was necessary to clarify the Diocese of Grafton’s legal liability for the actions at the Home. Legal opinion stated that the Diocese did not have a legal responsibility. However, given the Church’s recognised connection with the Home, the Diocese resolved that it did have a moral responsibility to respond to these claims and chose to settle them as expediently as it could.

In 2007 the Diocese settled thirty-nine of these claims through a payment negotiated with the solicitors acting for the claimants. Two other claimants were not ready to settle at that time.

In the cases of sexual abuse, and where the perpetrators were identified, the Diocese informed

the Police and received advice that Police investigations had been instigated. This related specifically to allegations against two members of clergy who were still alive at the time the claims were presented.

After the majority of claims had been settled, seven more people came forward. The Diocese received these additional claims between 2008 and 2011, some through a solicitor; some complainants chose to write directly to me as Bishop. A few, but not all, alleged sexual abuse while resident at the Home.