AUSTRALIA
ABC News
By Giselle Wakatama
The group set up to oversee the Catholic Church’s response to a Royal Commission has raised concerns about Hunter clergy abuse trials being moved to Sydney to the detriment of victims.
The Truth Justice and Healing Council was appointed by the Catholic Church to oversee its response to the child sexual abuse Royal Commission.
In its submission to an issues paper on experiences relating to police and prosecution responses, the council raises concerns about problems facing abuse survivors in the Maitland-Newcastle Catholic Diocese.
It said trial processes can be challenging for survivors, and notes the extra stress relating to trials which are shifted to Sydney.
The council said the enormous strain felt by survivors is amplified when they are geographically isolated at the time they are required to give evidence.
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