AUSTRALIA
Geelong Advertiser
Anthea Cannon | April 18th, 2012
GEELONG victims and advocates have welcomed a parliamentary inquiry into child abuse by religious and charity groups as the first step to justice.
The State Government yesterday announced the “broad” bi-partisan inquiry, which will investigate alleged mental, physical and sexually abusive practices, the organisations’ handling of reports and any reforms.
However, lawyer Angela Sdrinis, who has worked for more than a decade fighting for alleged victims of Geelong and Colac orphanages said the parliamentary inquiry was “a wishy, washy response” and called for a Royal Commission.
The region had more than five religious orphanages running during last century, and several schools. Care Leavers Australia Network executive officer, and Geelong resident, Leonie Sheedy was overjoyed that more than a decade of lobbying had paid off. She said the group had protested on the steps of parliament every month since 2007.
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