AUSTRALIA
The Courier
Dec. 10, 2015
VICTIM David Ridsdale says seeking legal redress against the Diocese of Ballarat for abuse he suffered at the hands of his uncle was like being molested all over again.
“It was extremely traumatic, that was my experience,” Mr Ridsdale said. “It was just as traumatic in some ways and the trauma continues for me.”
Catholic Church Authorities attempted to pressure Mr Ridsdale’s parents to drop the charges against notorious paedophile Gerald Ridsdale, the child sex abuse inquiry heard.
A transcript of the minutes of a Catholic Church Insurances body meeting tendered to the inquiry, revealed Monsignor Glynn Murphy warned Mr Ridsdale’s parents they could “expect a fight” if they pursued legal action against the disgraced priest.
Mr Ridsdale said while it was vindicating to have public acknowledgement of the way victims were treated, it was also “extremely disturbing” to have his fears confirmed.
“They (Catholic Church authorities) were in cahoots,” he said. “This is stuff that we’ve believed and talked about for years.Having it confirmed is both great and also extremely disturbing.”
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