AUSTRALIA
The Guardian (UK)
Melissa Davey
theguardian.com, Monday 18 August 2014
Victims have told the royal commission into institutional responses to child sexual abuse that the scheme established by the Catholic archdiocese of Melbourne to investigate their claims lacked compassion and independence and left them feeling betrayed.
During an emotional day marred by a power blackout that delayed the hearing by more than two hours, victims also questioned the so-called independence of commissioners appointed by the church to investigate sex abuse claims, and spoke of feeling pressured by senior church officials into meeting them and accepting compensation.
The hearing taking place in Melbourne over the next fortnight is scrutinising the scheme, known as the Melbourne Response, established by Cardinal George Pell in 1996.
Reading her witness statement on Monday morning, Chrissie Foster described how two of her three daughters, Katie and Emma, were repeatedly abused by Father Kevin O’Donnell at Sacred Heart primary school in Oakleigh. At times her husband, Anthony, took over reading for her.
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