Opinion: NSW government can learn from Catholics on child abuse redress

GRIFFITH (NSW, AUSTRALIA)
The Area News

February 1, 2018

By Oliver Jacques

The Catholic Church has rightly copped a battering from media for turning a blind eye to child sexual abuse over several decades.

But the question must surely be asked, why are state governments getting let off the hook?

Contrary to popular belief, most Australia children who were sexually assaulted in an institution were not abused by Catholic clergy or laypeople.

According to the child abuse royal commission, many thousands of children were also abused in state government-run orphanages, foster care and educational facilities.

In many cases, responsible governments and bureaucrats failed to take action against the perpetrators, or offer help to the victims.

And while reports of sexual assault in the Church are now rare, abuse appears to still be rampant in foster care.

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