Victims want church aid

By Esther Lauaki
Star Weekly
January 12, 2016

http://www.starweekly.com.au/news/victims-want-church-aid/

Paul Levey and fellow sexual abuse survivor Bruce Mills. Photo by Shawn Smits

A Sunbury advocate for victims of sexual abuse by clergy is calling on the local Catholic diocese and Salesian College to pitch in for more men’s counselling services in the area.

Paul Levey, who was sexually assaulted by a priest based in Ballarat, has raised $11,000 to set up the Sunbury Men’s Survivors group, but he says this is not enough to sustain a service.

Mr Levey said the Centre Against Sexual Abuse (CASA) outreach clinic at Sunbury was under immense pressure, with only one counsellor on staff.

“You’re limited with the time you can see the counsellor in Sunbury because of the number of people he has to see.

“There are a lot of people out there who are looking for help and need to speak with a professional, and they don‘t know where to go.

“At the moment, you go in for a one-hour session and you might not be able to get another appointment for four weeks.”

Mr Levey’s campaign comes after Salesian College principals, boarding masters and brothers, who were at the college from 1960 to 1990, faced Victorian courts on scores of sexual abuse charges last year.

Mr Levey said the men’s survivors group would be offered upon referral from a doctor, with weekly sessions held in a safe and neutral environment.

“I’m calling on the diocese and Salesian College to help support an extra counsellor in Sunbury because the money we have isn’t enough.

“I don’t know where I’d be without the counselling I received and I know a lot of men out there need the same support.”

The Victoria’s Royal Commission into Child Sexual Abuse started in 2013 and is ongoing.