AUSTRALIA
ABC Newcastle
By Jeannette McMahon
Chief Inspector Peter Fox has spoken of the personal toll his pursuit of justice for child victims of sexual abuse by the Catholic Church has taken on himself and his family.
A number of senior police, including Chief Inspector Fox, will give evidence at a public inquiry which starts in Newcastle today.
Fox is seen as a hero by many of the victims and their families for his tenacious pursuit of justice and his public comments, which have created career and personal pressure for himself.
The inquiry was set up by the NSW Premier after Fox appeared on the ABC’s Lateline, alleging some church officials failed to report claims of child sex abuse to police, and that he was told to stop investigating the matter.
The inquiry, overseen by NSW deputy crown prosecutor Margaret Cuneen, will look specifically at how the church handled complaints about former Hunter priests Jim Fletcher and Denis McAlinden, both now deceased.
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