Joanne Mccarthy: the Reporter Who Sparked a Royal Commission

ABC
March 8, 2017

http://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/conversations/conversations-joanne-mccarthy/8316862

Joanne McCarthy's stories in The Newcastle Herald helped spark a world-first Royal Commission.

The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse began in 2013 and concludes this year.

Joanne first started reporting the activities of paedophile priests in the Hunter-Maitland Diocese of the Catholic Church in 2002.

Many of their victims were very young children when they were terribly abused.

And while she's won acclaim for her work, hearing so many victims' stories has taken a toll.

Further information

Need to talk? Call Lifeline Helpline 24 hours 13 11 14

24 hour counselling and support is available at www.1800respect.org.au

More on the Royal Commission here

Joanne's 2013 acceptance speech for the Gold Walkley

Duration: 51min

Broadcast: Wed 8 Mar 2017, 11:00am

Published: Thu 2 Mar 2017, 2:52am