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Fr Kevin Dillon breaks silence for abuse victims on St Mary’s Basilica fence
By Danny Lannen
PARISH priest Fr Kevin Dillon wants St Mary’s Basilica’s Yarra St fence to shout on behalf of victims of institutional sexual abuse. The acclaimed advocate joined abuse survivor Chris Pianto tying ribbons to the fence yesterday, signalling it had become part of the Loud Fence movement which originated in Ballarat and has gone global. Fr Dillon urged people to follow the lead by tying ribbons for themselves or in support of victims they might know. “The invitation is there,” Fr Dillon said. “Such a simple little sign lots of people can do which over time will bring I think a sense of recognition for people. “There would be many people out there in the community who have suffered in this way particularly within the church or any of the churches and never come forward, so it’s a way in which people are saying I understand as best I can your suffering and I support you. “That can make a much bigger difference than we realise.” Mr Pianto said he asked Fr Dillon if he would make the gesture and was pleased to hear that he had already been considering the same. “I think having Kevin present and being seen to tie a ribbon himself sends a lot stronger message that he’s not condoning what occurred,” Mr Pianto said. Fr Dillon said he had been hoping the basilica’s Loud Fence would be initiated by victims. Family and friends of abuse victims started Loud Fence in Ballarat last year during Royal Commission into sexual abuse hearings, with bright ribbons outside institutions an overt response to traumas long held silent. The movement has reached the gates of the Vatican. Mr Pianto, who was abused by a teacher at Geelong’s St Joseph’s College, quietly tied ribbons of his own to a fence at the college about a month ago.
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