Catholic Church Group Raises Concerns over Hunter Region Sexual Abuse Trials Moving to Sydney

By Giselle Wakatama
ABC News
November 13, 2015

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-11-13/catholic-church-group-raises-concerns-over-hunter-region-sexual/6937534

The group set up to oversee the Catholic Church's response to a Royal Commission has raised concerns about Hunter clergy abuse trials being moved to Sydney to the detriment of victims.

The Truth Justice and Healing Council was appointed by the Catholic Church to oversee its response to the child sexual abuse Royal Commission.

In its submission to an issues paper on experiences relating to police and prosecution responses, the council raises concerns about problems facing abuse survivors in the Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Diocese.

It said trial processes can be challenging for survivors, and notes the extra stress relating to trials which are shifted to Sydney.

The council said the enormous strain felt by survivors is amplified when they are geographically isolated at the time they are required to give evidence.

The council has also called for specialist instructing solicitors to be appointed for the indictment and trial of alleged perpetrators of abuse.

It is also concerned about the way media is notified about cases.

The council said sometimes survivors are not advised prior to charges being laid, and alleged perpetrators have also been confronted unawares.

It said a frail aged cleric experienced a media outlet posting an online story about him being charged, before he was discharged from custody, robbing him of the chance to tell family and friends before they became aware.