Jail Threat for Clergy Who Cover up Child Sexual Abuse

By James Campbell
Courier Mail
November 8, 2013

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/jail-threat-for-clergy-who-cover-up-child-sexual-abuse/story-fnii5smp-1226756171150

CLERGY who fail to report child abuse by their colleagues should face jail, a landmark state parliamentary inquiry is set to recommend.

After more than 160 hearings over nine months, Australia's first parliamentary inquiry into the handling of child abuse by religious and other organisations will table its findings next week.

The findings of the committee, which considered more than 400 submissions, are scathing of the Catholic Church's actions over several decades, sources have told the Herald Sun.

The committee will recommend a new criminal offence be created for ministers of religion who fail to report physical or sexual abuse of children by other clergy.

The inquiry was set up following 2011's inquiry into the child protection system by retired Supreme Court judge Philip Cummins.

Mr Cummins's report recommended the creation of a new offence for clergy, attracting the same penalties as the existing crimes of "failing to protect a child from harm" and "concealing offences for benefit".

Both can see offenders jailed for up to one year.

Survivors of clergy child sex abuse said they would welcome the move to jail ministers of religion who shield their colleagues.

Stephen Woods, 51, who was sexually assaulted by Catholic clergy when he was a student at St Alipius Christian Brothers Primary School in Ballarat, said the idea was "brilliant stuff".

"But as we are finding out, the Church is still paying huge amounts of money to lawyers to protect and defend pedophiles," he said.

The Family and Community Development Committee, chaired by Liberal Upper House member Georgie Crozier, heard evidence from victims, their families, experts, and other professionals. Almost half of its hearings were held in secret.

Premier Denis Napthine's spokesman, Kathryn McFarlane, said the Government had yet to see the report.

"The Government will be provided with a copy of the committee's report when it is tabled in the Parliament, and is looking forward to reviewing the report and its recommendations before making a decision on any legislative changes," she said.

She said the Government had allocated $650 million in its last three Budgets for vulnerable children and their families and had undertaken significant legislative reform to protect children.