Royal Commission Rejects Call for Stand-alone Bathurst Inquiry

By Jacinta Carroll
Western Advocate
June 13, 2017

http://www.westernadvocate.com.au/story/4727632/royal-commission-rejects-call-for-stand-alone-bathurst-inquiry/

A CALL for the Royal Commission to hold a stand-alone inquiry into historic sexual abuse at three of the city’s private schools has fallen on deaf ears, angering victims who say their voices have gone unheard for too long.

Victims of abuse at St Stanislaus’ College, All Saints’ College and The Scots School, backed by Greens MP David Shoebridge, had called for a stand-alone inquiry.

However, that now appears unlikely after the Royal Commission released a one-line statement to the Western Advocate stating it had “completed its public hearing program” and had “no further comment”.

This week, one of the schools at the centre of the historic abuse, St Stanislaus’ College, will hold a public apology and service of healing aimed at expressing sorrow for the past and hope for the future.

But for one victim of serial pedophile and Stannies priest, Brian Spillane, the truth remains well hidden and the apology will do little to repair the damage he suffered as a student at the school.

Damien Sheridan, who consented to being identified in the District Court when Spillane was sentenced earlier this year, said he had grave concerns about returning to the school on Friday.

Suffering from complex post traumatic stress disorder, he’s scared how he will react to being back there.

Like other victims, Mr Sheridan was appalled the apology would incorporate a religious element, given much of the abuse occurred in religious ceremonies.

“It is a trigger. I tried to go back there earlier this year after the court case and was physically sick.”

Mr Sheridan said it would have been better to hold the apology in a neutral space, perhaps a park. Still, he will try to come on Friday.

“I’m not sure how I’m going to do it, but I will be there,” he said.

News that the Royal Commission won’t hold a stand-alone inquiry has also devastated him.

He said the worst part was that everyone knows about it, but it’s being swept under the carpet.

The mother of another of Spillane’s victims, who can’t be identified, said the push for a stand-alone inquiry by the Royal Commission needed to continue.

“I want to know why it [the abuse] went on so long undetected,” she said.

“This needs to happen, the truth needs to be told.”

The mother also questioned the reasoning behind the public apology, saying any religious element was just adding insult to injury.

“It makes me question why they are doing it,” she said.