'I am OK': Pell's accuser breaks silence on ruling in poignant message

PressFrom
April 8, 2020

https://pressfrom.info/au/news/australia/-193240-i-am-ok-pells-accuser-breaks-silence-on-ruling-in-poignant-message.html

Ribbons are being tied to the gate of the Carmelite Monestary as an act of solidarity.

Aerial vision has captured Cardinal George Pell walking into the Kew monastery as a free man.

A child's tricycle is seen on the gate of the Carmelite Monastery where Cardinal George Pell is staying in Kew.

George Pell has been freed from Barwon Prison.

Cardinal George Pell has left Barwon Prison after the High Court overturned child sex abuse convictions.

George Pell's accuser, known as Witness J, has broken his silence on the Cardinal being acquitted of sexual abuse, reassuring supporters in a poignant statement that he is "OK".

Pell was yesterday freed from Barwon Prison after the High Court quashed his child sexual abuse convictions.

Witness J said he accepted and understood the outcome of the court.

"I respect the decision of the High Court. I accept the outcome," he said.

"I understand their view that there was not enough evidence to Satisfy the Court beyond all reasonable doubt that the offending occurred.

"There are a lot of checks and balances in the criminal justice system and the appeal process is one of them. I respect that.

"It is difficult in child sexual abuse matters to satisfy a criminal court that the offending has occurred beyond the shadow of doubt.

"It is a very high standard to meet – a heavy burden. I understand why criminal cases must be proven beyond all reasonable doubt.

"No one wants to live in a society where people can be imprisoned without due and proper process. But the price we pay in weighting the system in favour of the accused is that many sexual offences against children go unpunished."

Pell arrived at the Kew Carmelite Monastery in Melbourne's inner-east after leaving the prison near Geelong about 12.30pmyesterday.

This morning, a child's tricycle was tied to the gates, a clear illustration of a community divided.

Melbourne's iconic St Patrick's Cathedral was also vandalised overnight, with the words "the law protects the powerful" sprayed on the forecourt.

Witness J urged victims to continue reporting abuse to police, despite the outcome of the case.

"It remains important that everyone who can report to the police does so. I would hate to think that one outcome of this case is that people are discouraged from reporting to the police," he said.

"This case does not define me. I am not the abuse I suffered as a child. I am a man who came forward for my friend who, sadly, is no longer with us. I am a man doing my best to be a loving dad, partner, son, brother and friend. I am doing my best to find and hold joy in my life and to provide a safe and loving home for my family.

"My journey has been long and I am relieved that is it over. I have my ups and downs. The darkness is never far away. Despite the stress of the legal process and public controversy I have tried hard to keep myself together.

"I am OK."
Father of dead choirboy and advocates slam ruling

The father of one of George Pell's alleged victims is "disgusted" at the High Court's decision to overturn the cardinal's child sexual abuse convictions.

Lisa Flynn, National Practice Leader at Shine Lawyers, represents the father in a separate civil lawsuit against the Catholic Church and in a powerful statement expressed the man's devastation over the outcome.

But Ms Flynn revealed the firm would continue to pursue a civil claim on behalf of their client despite the High Court's ruling.

"My journey has been long and I am relieved that is it over. I have my ups and downs. The darkness is never far away. Despite the stress of the legal process and public controversy I have tried hard to keep myself together.

"I am OK."
Father of dead choirboy and advocates slam ruling

The father of one of George Pell's alleged victims is "disgusted" at the High Court's decision to overturn the cardinal's child sexual abuse convictions.

Lisa Flynn, National Practice Leader at Shine Lawyers, represents the father in a separate civil lawsuit against the Catholic Church and in a powerful statement expressed the man's devastation over the outcome.

But Ms Flynn revealed the firm would continue to pursue a civil claim on behalf of their client despite the High Court's ruling.