Ballarat Diocese Backs National Redress Scheme for Sex Abuse Victims

By Melissa Cunningham
Border Mail
November 8, 2016

http://www.bordermail.com.au/story/4283371/ballarat-diocese-backs-national-redress-scheme-for-sex-abuse-victims/?cs=12

The Catholic Diocese of Ballarat has publicly declared its support for the federal government’s national redress scheme for clergy sexual abuse victims.

Ballarat Catholic diocese vicar-general Father Justin Driscoll said the diocese would fully participate in the scheme.

“We welcome the many components of the scheme, including the monetary redress payments, but also other areas of psychological and emotional and well-being trauma informed counselling,” he said.

However, unanswered questions remain on whether the Ballarat diocese would continue to provide ongoing care for victims, including reimbursement of medical and other critical living expenses, after survivors received redress.

Father Driscoll lauded the announcement as an important step forward in establishing an independent body able to assess and provide redress for victims of child sexual abuse.

But Ballarat survivors of clergy sexual abuse feared institutions could wipe their hands of victims once redress was handed out.

Peter Blenkiron who was abused at the hands of disgraced paedophile Christian brother Edward Dowlan said an ongoing support system which provided individualised care was paramount.

"It's not just about the dollars and the cents,” Mr Blenkiron said.

“It's about doing things which stops people taking their own lives.

"We need to create a safety net to help survivors who haven't fallen apart yet, not fall apart, and continue in their lives in a way that's of value to themselves, their communities and their families.

"But those who have already fallen apart, need to get the right support and help so premature death isn't the only pathway forward."

Father Driscoll said details of the national scheme were yet to be determined.

He could not say definitively if ongoing support would be provided from the diocese once they had received redress.

“We recognise there are details that still need to be developed surrounding the certainty of how support will be provided,” he said.

However, he said the diocese would continue to support victims until the scheme was established in 2018.

Under the scheme an assessment matrix will be established to determine individual monetary payments.

Father Driscoll said the diocese supported an ongoing care plan for survivors.

“There are many paths towards redress,” he said.

“There is recognition of the need for monetary redress but also recognition of the suffering and abuse has occurred and the need for ongoing care.”

He said former Ballarat bishop Ronald Mulkearns' $2.1 million estate would also be set aside for assistance to victims of abuse.

The 10-year scheme which was announced by Social Services Minister Christian Porter on Friday, will see responsible groups opt-in to fund the cost of their own participation and compensation payments.

Victims of institutional child sexual abuse will be able to get up to $150,000 as part of the scheme.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse’s preferred model involved the federal government establishing a national scheme, with churches, schools and government organisations largely paying survivors up to $200,000 in compensation for abuse that occurred there.

Clergy abuse survivor Andrew Collins said any plan needed to mimic the support given to soldiers suffering post-traumatic stress disorder.

He said victims who have ongoing health issues receive a health care card, as well as a pension of $252 a week extra, bringing them in line with war veterans.

"Firstly, it's not about money, money is only one component, there needs to be ongoing care and assistance for those who need it," Mr Collins said.

"It has to be individualised care, provided on a case by case basis.”

Mr Collins also called for an explanation of why the maximum payment was capped at $50,000 below the commission's recommendation.

He said it could see some victims receiving an average of $10,000 to $20,000 which was manifestly unjust for the damaged caused.

Under the scheme, survivors will also have the chance to request a direct personal response from the institution involved.