Catholic Church releases guidelines for responding to civil claims for child sexual abuse

Truth Justice and Healing Council
November 23, 2015

http://tinyurl.com/oj4bles

The Catholic Church’s Truth Justice and Healing Council has released guidelines for how Church authorities should respond when claims of child sexual abuse are made against them.

The guidelines, which have been endorsed by the Church leadership, will come into effect from 1 January 2016 and are designed to promote justice and consistency in the way the Church andles child sexual abuse claims and conduct litigation when taken to court.

They also include a requirement for Church dioceses or religious orders to assist a claimant to identify the correct defendant to respond to legal proceedings.

The CEO of the Truth Justice and Healing Council, Francis Sullivan, said the community expects the Catholic Church to have a compassionate and consistent approach towards survivors of child sexual abuse, including when they take legal action.

“These guidelines provide a framework for Church authorities to do the right thing in court and ease the trauma of litigation for survivors,” he said.

The guidelines also cover issues such as:

 providing records, making an early assessment of claims, keeping costs down and paying legitimate claims without litigation

 being mindful of the traumatic experience for claimants during litigation and endeavouring to avoid legal proceedings wherever possible

 apologising if the Church authority is aware that it or its representatives or lawyers have acted wrongfully, improperly or in breach of the guidelines.