Child Sex Abuse Royal Commission: Convicted Paedophiles to Give Evidence at Church Youth Group Hearings in Tasmania

By Emilie Gramenz
ABC News
January 27, 2016

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-01-27/child-sexual-abuse-royal-commission-survivor-recounts-abuse/7116860

PHOTO: Abuse survivor Steven Fisher said the way the Tasmanian Anglican Church Diocese handles complaints "re-traumatises" victims. (Supplied)

A Tasmanian sexual abuse survivor who started a victims advocacy group said a member of the clergy took a special interest in him and cultivated a father-figure relationship before beginning to abuse him.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse is examining responses to sexual abuse allegations in the Church of England Boys Society, or CEBS, run through the Anglican Church.

Stephen Fisher told the hearing Garth Hawkins, a rector from Devonport, associated with leaders of CEBS despite not being officially involved.

"Sometimes Hawkins treated me with respect and provided me with respect and encouragement, but as soon as I relaxed he would try to take advantage of me," he said.

Hawkins faced trial in 2003 for abusing seven teenage boys and was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison.

Mr Fisher recalled Hawkins associating with members of the Church of England Boys Society.

"Although Hawkins wasn't a CEBS leader himself, he associated with some CEBS leaders, particularly Lou Daniels," he said.

"I remember thinking Hawkins didn't really like Daniels.

"Hawkins told me I shouldn't join CEBS because it wouldn't be good for me."

Mr Hawkins received compensation from the Anglican Church, but told the hearing it was not until four years after he made a complaint.

He criticised the way the Tasmanian Diocese handled his complaint.

"The process that we have to go through absolutely re-traumatises the victims and actually turns a lot of them off even making a claim because of the hoops they have to jump through proving they have psychological or physical symptoms which relate to the abuse," he said.

Several convicted paedophiles will also give evidence during the public hearing in Hobart.

Of interest to the royal commission will be Hawkins, Louis Daniels, Robert Brandenburg, Simon Jacobs and John Elliot.

The procedures and policies of CEBS and the Anglican dioceses of Tasmania, Adelaide, Brisbane and Sydney will be investigated, including in relation to youth camps and activities.

Several survivors of abuse through CEBS will also give evidence at the hearing.

Victim sent on holiday to stay with abusers

Ms Sharp said the royal commission would hear evidence from one abuse survivor that he was sent on holiday by John Elliot to stay with other perpetrators.

She said the witness, referred to as BYK, was sent to Tasmania with Daniels and was abused multiple times.

"BYK was also sent on holidays by Mr Elliot to Adelaide, where he was again abused," Ms Sharp said.

She said BYK identified the abuser in Adelaide to police as Father Bob - a nickname of Robert Brandenburg.

Counsel representing the Diocese of Sydney, Michelle England, made a statement on behalf of the Archbishop of Sydney, Glenn Davies, acknowledging there were children involved in CEBS in Sydney who were sexually abused.

"The Archbishop is deeply sorry that this terrible abuse of trust occurred. It should never have happened," she said.

"He apologises to those survivors for this abuse of trust."

The commission will hear from two former Anglican bishops of Tasmania as well as church figures from Adelaide, Sydney and Brisbane.