AUSTRALIA
ABC – Lateline
Australian Broadcasting Corporation
Broadcast: 25/02/2013
Reporter: Hamish Fitzsimmons
The Victorian inquiry into sexual abuse in religious organisations is likely to recommend a reform of property trust laws which allow churches to avoid being sued.
Transcript
EMMA ALBERICI, PRESENTER: One of the key recommendations of Victoria’s inquiry into sexual abuse by religious organisations will be that property trust laws be reformed to enable people to sue churches.
The prediction comes from legal researcher Judy Courtin who has made numerous submissions to the inquiry on behalf of abuse victims.
And ahead of committee hearings this week in Ballarat where dozens of male abuse victims have taken their own lives, there are calls to fast track support services to stop more deaths.
Hamish Fitzsimmons reports.
HAMISH FITZSIMMONS, REPORTER: Victoria’s inquiry into sexual abuse by religious organisations has been repeatedly told victims of sexual abuse by the Catholic Church have few legal options because the only legal entity the Church has are property trusts. It’s believed the inquiry will recommend change.
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