Christian Brothers knew about child abuse dating back to 1919

AUSTRALIA
ABC News

[with audio]

Evidence at the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse reveals the Christian Brothers Catholic order has known for almost a century that boys were being sexually and physically abused in its homes. Historic documents show Christian Brothers were aware of 70 possible offenders across Australia between 1919 and 1969. The order spent more than a million dollars fighting a class action in the 1990s.

Transcript

MARK COLVIN: Damning evidence has revealed that the Christian Brothers knew boys in their care were being physically and sexually abused for almost a century.

Historic documents handed to the Royal Commission into child sexual abuse show the Catholic order was aware of 70 possible offenders across Australia between 1919 and 1969.

In most cases, leaders took no action and the abuse continued for years.

The order apologised in the 1990s, but it still spent more than a million dollars fighting a class action launched by the victims.

Thomas Oriti reports.

THOMAS ORITI: Former residents of Christian Brothers homes in Western Australia have told the Royal Commission they want answers.

JOHN HENNESSEY: They were not there when I needed them. There was no compassion, no Christian values, no gratitude.

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