AUSTRALIA
The Guardian (United Kingdom)
Helen Davidson in Sydney
theguardian.com, Tuesday 17 September 2013
The former chief executive of Scouts NSW, Peter Olah, did not have confidence in the Department of Community Services (Docs) to follow up on complaints of child sexual abuse within his organisation, describing the process of reporting to them as “a dead end”, the royal commission into child sexual abuse has heard.
The commission heard from current and former scouts employees about how Steven Larkins – now in jail over charges relating to child abuse and child pornography – remained in close contact with children for years despite being the subject of a police investigation, apprehended violence orders and multiple rumours and allegations of suspicious behaviour while he was a scout leader.
Further allegations and details of “sizeable” insurance payouts to victims will come to light concerning abuse within Scouts Australia, the hearing was told.
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