Child sex abuse survivors seek crowdfunding to fly to Rome for George Pell's evidence

By Melissa Davey
Guardian
February 16, 2016

http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/feb/16/child-sex-abuse-survivors-crowdfund-to-fly-to-rome-for-george-pells-evidence

Cardinal George Pell, left, and fellow cardinal Marc Ouellet at an Ash Wednesday mass at St Peter’s Basilica in Rome on 10 February. Photo by Giulio Origlia

Survivors of child sexual abuse are crowdfunding to send representatives to Rome to hear Australia’s most senior Catholic, cardinal George Pell, give evidence before a child sex abuse royal commission via video link from 29 February.

Earlier this month Pell was cleared to give evidence about child sex abuse that occurred within Ballarat parishes while he was an assistant priest at Ballarat East via video rather than in person. The chair of the royal commission into institutional responses into child sexual abuse, justice Peter McClellan, made the ruling.

Pell suffers from medical conditions related to hypertension and heart disease, which meant flying could be potentially dangerous, the commission heard.

The decision prompted the comedian and radio and television personality Meshel Laurie, who has spoken to survivors of child sexual abuse and their supporters, to launch a crowdfunding campaign.

She did so with support from Loud Fence, a support group for survivors of child sexual abuse in Ballarat religious institutions.

“There are roughly 15 people who would like to go to Rome, and we can’t expect them to go without support from counsellors or psychologists, so we would send some supporters as well,” Laurie said.

“I personally have promised two air fares for two survivors to go.”

By Tuesday afternoon the campaign had raised about $15,000 of the $55,ooo target.

Going to Rome will depend on whether the commission manages to secure a public space there for Pell to give evidence. Royal commission hearings in Australia are open to anyone, and although not a court, royal commissions operate much like court hearings and are often held in courts.

David Ridsdale, a victim and nephew of the notorious pedophile priest Gerald Ridsdale, said he was working with Loud Fence to put together a group of survivors and supporters ready to go to Rome.

Risdale told the commission during his evidence that Pell had discouraged him from speaking out about the molestation he suffered. Pell has denied this.

“I feel fairly confident that the commission will request a public space for Pell to give evidence in,” Risdale said.

“We just want the same environment for Pell that we have had here in Australia for those giving evidence. We have no desire to sit there and eyeball and intimidate George. We just want the opportunity to be there. We want the same situation for him as there was for us when we gave evidence.”

He knew many people in Ballarat who were either victims of historical child sexual abuse that occurred within Catholic institutions there, or who knew someone who had been affected by the abuse.

“This is a mental health emergency in Ballarat,” Risdale said. “The needs for the survivors to be heard and to be supported are pressing.

“Just in the past week in Ballarat I have had to talk someone out of suicide, and I know other support people who are doing that on a regular basis.”

Risdale said he was touched by the level of public support for victims and survivors.

A spokeswoman for the commission told Guardian Australia a public venue had not been ruled out, but no venue had been decided on.

“The royal commission is making inquiries about venues for cardinal Pell to give evidence via video link at the case study 28 and case study 35 public hearings,” she said.

“Further information will be made available as soon as possible.”

Child sexual abuse victims have been waiting to hear Pell answer questions about the way the archdiocese of Melbourne responded to allegations of child sexual abuse, and about his alleged role in moving a pedophile priest in Ballarat between parishes, since Pell told the commission in May he would be willing to give evidence in person.

Leonie Sheedy is the executive officer of the Care Leavers Australia Network, which represents more than 1,000 people who were abused in foster care, orphanages and other out-of-home care institutions.

She said Pell should have to give his evidence on “neutral territory” at a venue outside the Vatican.

“The Australian embassy might be an option,” she said.

“Or perhaps they could make one of the courts in Rome available. He’s not too ill to get in a taxi and got to a courthouse, which would allow the victims to be able to witness him speaking if that’s what they wish.”

However, no members of her organisation were able to go to Rome for the hearing.

“We’re all too poor,” she said.

“We’ll be watching from Ballarat, unless the Vatican pays for us to go there.”