Inquiry Findings Tipped to Bring out More Child Abuse Survivors

ABC News
November 14, 2013

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-14/more-child-abuse-survivors-tipped-to-speak-up/5090848

The abuse survivor group Broken Rites says it is expecting more victims of childhood abuse to come forward as a result of parliamentary inquiry findings.

The final report by the Victorian inquiry into child abuse at religious and other organisations was handed down in State Parliament yesterday.

It suggested a range of legal changes to better protect children, including making concealing child abuse a criminal offence.

A spokesman for Broken Rites, Dr Bernard Barrett, says historical cases of abuse in western Victoria have played a significant role in bringing the issue to the national agenda.

"The parliamentary report, especially the parts that emphasise western Victoria, will grab attention throughout Australia, so I think you'll find that other victims of these crimes elsewhere in Australia will contact the state police," he said.

"I think it will be a big topic in the future."

Dr Barrett says he wants the State Government to act quickly to enact the recommendations.

"Yes I certainly do and I hope that the Victorian Government implements all those recommendations and doesn't just cherry pick one or two of them," he said.