AUSTRALIA
Sydney Morning Herald
February 21, 2016
Michael Short
Journalist
A few months ago, I caught up for lunch with lawyer Judy Courtin, one of the staunchest advocates for the victims of the rape and sexual abuse of children and vulnerable others by, in particular, Catholic priests, and one of the people instrumental in the successful campaign to establish the royal commission into the response of churches and other institutions to these crimes. She did her PhD on the issue, was a guest of mine in 2012 in the advocacy column I have written for the past six years, The Zone, and is now representing victims at the commission.
In an eerie coincidence, when I returned from lunch to my desk, there was a joint email from the headmaster and chairman of the board of Ballarat and Queen’s Anglican Grammar School, which I attended for the final five years of my secondary education.
The email read in part: “Ballarat Grammar is seeking to ascertain whether members of its community have experienced abuse at the school. Anyone who has suffered such abuse is encouraged to come forward, with the assurance that disclosures will be treated with confidentiality, and with the utmost sensitivity…This letter has not been prompted by any revelation at the royal commission, but by a desire to assist anyone who might be helped by the affirmation and support of the school.”
It hit me like a physical blow. The image of the priest’s genitals flooded my mind. I could also visualise the hideous, massive flakes of dandruff. I had suppressed the memory for more than 35 years. This is common.
He used to ply us with alcohol in his home. Despite striving, I simply can not fully recall what happened; I might remember more, but at this stage I do not recall being severely sexually abused. However, and this is the most disturbing part, I suddenly recalled that I knew he had done so to at least one boy. I do not remember – and, again, perhaps I will – how I know that, and I am wracked with guilt at not having acted on this knowledge. Sexual abuse is so insidious; victims feel guilt.
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