Catholics Back Compo Scheme for Abuse Victims

By Ildi Amon
SBS
November 22, 2013

http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/2013/11/22/catholics-back-compo-scheme-abuse-victims

[with audio]


The head of the Catholic church's Truth, Justice and Healing Council says the days of the church investigating sexual abuse complaints against itself are over.

The internal process used by the Catholic Church to deal with sexual abuse claims will be the subject of public hearings in Sydney next month.

The Royal Commission will examine the application of the scheme known as Towards Healing.

Truth, Justice and Healing Council chief executive Francis Sullivan says Towards Healing was an improvement on the previous arrangements.

But he's told Ildi Amon the church now recognises the need for a national compensation scheme for victims that's transparent and independent of the church.