AUSTRALIA
ABC News
By William Rollo
The Catholic Church has outlined a series of new measures to handle allegations of child abuse in central Queensland.
The Rockhampton diocese has been under scrutiny over its response to systemic child abuse at St Joseph’s Orphanage at Neerkol, near Rockhampton, up until the 1970s.
The church has established a hotline for abuse victims in central Queensland, will run regular listening sessions for victims, and a new response coordinator will handle any allegations of abuse in the diocese.
Rockhampton Bishop Michael McCarthy hoped the measures made it easier for victims to come forward.
“While I’m waiting for the royal commission to hand down its recommendations, I think it’s important that we continue to forge ahead and make sure our church is safe for our children,” he said.
Allan Alloway suffered horrific sexual and physical abuse as a resident at the Neerkol orphanage.
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